A birth amid death in the Israeli mobile hospital

The Israelis, in stark contrast, have gone about setting up up a full-fledged, self-supporting hospital. That it doesn’t look like a hospital is a different matter. Three huge generators form the backdrop of jungle-green tents which serve as general ward, operation theatre, ICU, labour room, X-ray room and a special ward for women. The girl child was born to the quake victim in this hospital yesterday afternoon.

Iditi, an Israeli official speaking on behalf of the 160 personnel, said the hospital, “which is now fully-functional” can take on over a 100 patients at a time. The group includes 60 doctors; the rest are attendants and security officials.

The general ward of the hospital also acts as a screening room. “Its only after admitting a patient in the general ward that we decide what to do with him or her. Many are discharged after first aid, and the more serious ones are shifted immediately to other wards,” explained Iditi.

Sajal, a one-and-half year-old girl playing with a balloon — provided by the hospital staff — has almost forgotten her amputated left feet. Her mother and young brother perished in the quake. Their bodies are yet to be pulled out of the debris.

It was, however, not an easy task for the Israelis to pitch up their hospital. The team arrived at Bhuj Air Force base two days ago, carrying their equipment in five huge IC-130 planes, each one of them bigger than India’s IL-76s which have been carrying relief material to Gujarat. For the next 24 hours, the team went scouring for a proper site to set up the hospital. With the entire Bhuj administration busy with rescue and relief operations, no one was there to take note of them. A discreet call to the North Block in Delhi improved things; after all they had come here after Israel’s army chief spoke with Advani.