Ariel Sharon's "Battle" for Rambam
Channel: Rambam HCC
Date: 2014-01-16

A year before the Second Lebanon War, advanced new operating rooms, resistant to Katyusha missiles and chemical weapons, were dedicated at Rambam. This construction was made possible by the involvement of one man -- —the late Arikel Sharon. 

Sharon firmly supported, dDespite opposition by the treasury, Sharon firmly supported the decision to place tens of millions of shekels at the service of the northern Northern Israel's population. That commitment was fulfilled. Ten years later, Rambam still waits for this government allotment, slotted to allow completion of an underground emergency hospital, which will provide medical care to residents in the north during times of war. 

At the beginning of 2000, the bleak condition of Rambam's operating rooms was one of the hospital's most pressing issues. The OR department was dividedsplit up: eight rooms operated in the basement of the central building, which opened in 1973. Another four still operated in the old building, built in 1938.

In light of these conditions, the hospital decided to establish a modern wing, which would include all the ORs and be able to withstand would stand against Katyusha attacks and chemical warfare.  Financial difficulties arose toward the end of construction, and then-Prime Minister, the late Ariel Sharon, personally intervened to secure the necessary budget. 

In September 2005, the new ORs -- —Israel's most sophisticated -- —were opened, and radically changed the face of surgery. Those wounded in the Second Lebanon War, were treated here 24/7 under unceasing missile attacks. 
As a result of the war, Rambam decided undertook construction of the Sammy Ofer Fortified Underground Emergency Hospital. to build a protected underground hospital. To finish this nearly-completed project, Rambam still awaits a promised NIS 40 million NIS from the government.