Rambam Hospital
The northern Israel city of Haifa has not forgotten the repeated rocket attacks that it withstood during the 2006 Second Lebanon War.
In that conflict, major municipal sites were attacked as well as private residents.
Rambam Medical Center, Haifa’s main hospital, was also targeted. Rockets were fired at it for the entire month of conflict.
Patients had to be evacuated to basements and corridors.
Because the threat of rocket attacks is an ever-present reality, Rambam decided to create a one-of-a-kind 2,000-bed underground facility capable of protecting patients and staff during missile strikes and war.
Originally the plan was to create a 1,000-bed facility, but the Ministry of Health came alongside the project to ensure that it would be regional in scope. By doubling the number of beds, the new addition will meet the needs of the entire northern region.
Amazingly, the facility functions as a 1,400-car parking lot during times of peace.
Its unique design allows it to be quickly converted to medical use; for example, each three-car parking space converts to an eight patient unit.
Rambam’s new underground parking facility is fortified against chemical and biological weapons. (YouTube capture)
At the first sign of hostilities, the cars are removed and the area is disinfected.
After that, the beds and other medical equipment are wheeled in. The walls of the parking structure contain outlets for oxygen, water, electricity and other patient needs.
The structure has toilets, multiple surgical theaters, and a dialysis unit.
The sides and top of the facility, which is 17 meters (56 feet) underground, are protected by special concrete making them impervious to both rocket attacks and the entry of chemical or biological weapons. (Times of Israel)
Conversion of the parking lot takes less than 48 hours according to an official hospital spokesman.
Self-made Israeli millionaire Sammy Ofer contributed $20 million to the project.
