Herzog Medical Center, Jerusalem's major psychogeriatric hospital, is not used to having large numbers of volunteers rushing in to help out with patients.
Israelis has presented their beautiful face at times of crisis. Herzog in the capital's Givat Shaul quarter has been flooded with many volunteers who are helping with every possible task - for peeling potatoes in the kitchen, to garbage removal and cleaning tasks - and of course meal support for the patients.
20 patients on ventilators have been transferred to Herzog from Hadassah-University Medical Center
Since the Gaza war began on Shabbat, 20 patients on ventilators from rehabilitation and complex-nursing departments have been transferred to Herzog from Hadassah-University Medical Center in Jerusalem's Ein Kerem and from Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer, which have been overwhelmed by civilians and soldiers wounded in the war.
At the same time, many inpatients who could be discharged home have been released from Herzog in recent days to free up essential hospital beds for admissions from overcrowded hospitals.
Also, at the request of the Health Ministry, the psychogeriatric hospital has been prepared for additional admissions from the hospitals in the south and center today and in the coming days. It is also preparing to take in about 200 casualties on the hospital flood if necessary.