Israel Chief Covid-19 Medical Advisor Ronni Gamzu Impressed by Laniado
(As appeared in Jewish Tribune October 2020) Israeli corona tzar Professor Roni Gamzu, has been on a tour of Laniado Hospital. The visit enabled him to take a closer look at the extensive clinical activity carried out by the Laniado team in the field of treatment in corona.
Prof. Gamzu was welcomed by the management of Laniado, the CEO Mr. Nadav Chen, Deputy Medical Director Dr Amir Weintraub, and Human Resources Manager Meir Belz. Prof. Gamzu received a comprehensive report from Head Nurse Mrs Shir and from the CEO of Laniado on the hospital’s activities in the field of corona from March until today. The review included notable details such as the relatively short duration of hospitalization in the corona ward in the second wave and the enormous volume of activity in respiratory screening. He was also shown the challenges in the area of huge manpower shortages, laboratory testing challenges and significant financial debts from the state.
Prof. Gamzu toured the Corona Department, met the medical and nursing staff and was deeply impressed by the relatively long time the staff spends inside the ward, despite the very onerous protection suits that make functioning very burdensome.
“You fight for the life of every patient as if it were a supreme mission. I am not aware of any other place I have toured where the staff stays so long inside the ward. It’s praiseworthy,” he said.
Prof. Gamzu then proceeded to the respiratory emergency room where he was duly impressed from the volume of activity which he said was ‘suitable for ‘super-centres’. “Despite being a medium-sized medical centre, you are treating many more patients than what would be expected of you. Well done!”
Laniado CEO Mr. Chen thanked Prof. Gamzu for the visit and said “We are dealing with three key issues: Lack of manpower, difficulty in performing rapid laboratory tests to prevent infection of staff and various economic issues that are making the day-to-day functioning very difficult. Your visit strengthens us all. The team has been fighting for many months in difficult conditions, the recognition of the management of the Health Ministry and other authorities in the Israeli government in what is being done here, gives us the strength to continue the intensive work, until the plague is eradicated with G-d’s help.”