IDF To Dispatch Field Hospital to Assist Refugees from Kosovo
4 April 1999

Early Tuesday Morning (6 April), the Israel Defense Forces will dispatch a field hospital, under IDF Medical Corps Command , to assist Albanian refugees from Kosovo. This will mark the beginning of an operation to save human lives.

IDF soldiers load emergency supplies onto Hercules transport prior to departure of IDF Humanitarian Mission for Macedonia

This operation comes in the wake of the Government of Israel decision regarding medical assistance to the refugees.

The IDF medical mission will be headed by COL Hezi Levi, Deputy Surgeon General of the IDF.

The mission will land in Skopje Macedonia and will set up the 100-bed field hospital near the border with Kosovo.

The mission is comprised of sixty men and women, including physicians, -(among them specialists in internal medicine, pediatrics, communicable diseases, orthopedics and gynecology), paramedics, nurses, medics and X-Ray technicians. The field hospital will likewise include a medical laboratory, pharmacy and operating room.

Stenkovech, Macedonia, 6 April 1999

An IDF humanitarian assistance mission has departed for the Macedonia-Kosovo border in an effort to assist the refugees who continue to escape from the war zone. The mission, comprised of 70 servicemen and women, including surgeons, pediatricians, gynecologists, internal doctors, X-ray technicians, medics, nurses, and two Albanian-speaking Israeli doctors, set up a field hospital in Stenkovich, Macedonia.

Areal view of the Stenkovech refugee camp. IDF field hospital compound in left half of photo.

IDF Surgeon General, Brig. Gen. Arie Eldad, stated, "The fear of the unknown always exists. We are not familiar with the area, we don't know the people or the surroundings, all the participants of the mission are very emotionally moved." Before the departure of the mission, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu arrived at the Israel Air Force base from, where the mission took off, and greeted the mission members saying, "I know from past experience that when the IDF arrives, it sets the tone and serves as an example of excellence for the rest.

Blood plasma is loaded onto aircraft prior to departure of IDF Humanitarian Mission

I have no doubt that you will do the same." The purpose of the mission according to mission commander COL Dr. Hezi Levi, is to build an emergency room capable of attending to sick refugees, triage them, decide who needs to be hospitalized, amd hospitalize those who require hospital care. The mission will have to deal with gun-shot wounds, infectious diseases, exhausted elderly patients and pregnant women. The IDF Medical Corps field hospital is capable of attending to several hundred patients a day, and contains 100 beds. It is the largest, and for all practical purposes, the only hospital of its kind in the area, capable of treating the refugees in the camps and those arriving from the border. The hospital has become a center to which patients are being referred. The Israeli doctors have brought with them equipment to treat infectious diseases, and are even planning to set up an operating room. It is estimated that hundreds of the tens of thousands of refugees on the border will arrive for medical treatment in the hospital. Despite the expected difficulties, participants in the mission say: "We feel a sense of mission."

Near the refugee camps are improvised cemeteries for those refugees who were unable to endure the cold, hunger, and diseases.

Stenkovech, Macedonia, 7 April 1999

Today, at 1600 Hrs,The IDF medical mission began to treat refugees in the Stenkovech camp, 12 Kms north of Skopje, the capital of Macedonia. The mission erected the only field hospital in the area. The hospital is divided into an emergency ward, a labor room, and an operating room. Two of the doctors from the mission immigrated eight years ago from Albania to Israel. Up to now, the hospital has treated between some 60 patients, 35 of whom being adults and 22 children. Most of the patients suffered from infections in the upper respiratory system, mild infections in the digestive system, etc.

According to the IDF doctors, the refugees in this camp are in relatively good condition. The situation is much worse in the camps closer to the border. Thus refugees from those camps began to arrive after they heard that the Israel

IDF nurse Natalie Mazor changes the diaper of a newborn baby named Tikva ('Hope' in Hebrew), delivered yesterday (7 April) by member of the IDF Medical Mission

Defense Forces had set up a hospital. With the sanitary conditions prevailing in the area, it is only a matter of time before diseases will spread, and Israeli doctors predict that in the next few days there will be more cases requiring treatment. An additional Israeli plane is expected to arrive during the weekend, carrying more medical supplies. Prof. Yoel Donchin, a physician belonging to the mission, said that before the the hospital was fully set up, a woman who had just given birth arrived at the hospital. She suffered from post-natal internal complications.

She received immediate medical treatment and is now out of danger. The NATO spokesperson said that he welcomes the Israeli hospital, which is the first of its kind, in the area. He added that the fact that Israel is not a member of NATO and is participating in this humanitarian mission, poses no problem whatsoever.

Stenkovech, Macedonia, 8 April 1999

Approximately 55 patients were treated yesterday in the field hospital which the Israel Defense Forces set up in tents at Stenkovech, Macrdonia, within less than 24 hours. Members of the IDF mission built a labor room, emergency ward and operating rooms. The NATO force commander visited the Israeli field hospital last night. "A large number of patients have begun to arrive, and the doctors are treating the ever-growing flow of patients. Communication is carried out with the aid of translators, doctors who know Albanian, and in English. So far, the communication has been good," said COL Dr. Hezi Levi, Commander of the IDF Medical Mission. On the second day in which the IDF field hospital has been operating, there is no evidence ofan epidemic. The diseases encountered by the medical team are well-known diseases which attack children and adults.

IDF medic treats child refugee at field hospital

However the refugees are living in crowded conditions and are exposed to cold; therefore epidemics could develop if humanitarian assistance is not supplied. The IDF mission is equipped with a sufficient supply of medicine and is in constant touch with the Medical Corps and the General Staff Technology and Logistics Branch in, Israel in order to obtain further supplies. The present mission is intended to be for two weeks. However, according to developments, Israel Government and Military officials may decide to extend the mission.

Stenkovech, Macedonia, 9 April 1999

An up-date on the IDF Humanitarian Assistance Mission for Albania Refugees: Field Hospital. The IDF field hospital at the refugee camp in Macedonia is working around-the-clock and has treated dozens of people so far. As of today, four women have given birth at the hospital. Most of the refugees are suffering from diseases caused due to the cramped conditions.

IDF medic Avi Marcus, a member of the IDF Humanitarian Assistance Mission on the Macedonia- Kosovo border, treats a refugee who suffered a face wound

An additional plane carrying 18 tons of supplementary equipment is scheduled to arrive in Macedonia to allow for the hospital staff to care for a wider range of illnesses. Amongst the equipment carried by the medical team are additional units of insulin, which was dispatched after it was discovered that many of the refugees seeking treatment were diabetics.

Stenkovech, Macedonia, 11 April 1999. IDF Humanitarian Assistance Mission has so far Treated Over 500 Refugees

The IDF humanitarian assistance mission has so far treated over 500 refugees at the field hospital set up here by the Medical Corps. Six babies have been delivered by the Medical team (five girls and a boy). On Friday (9.4.99) an IAF plane brot re-supplies for the field hospital, medicines and in particular insulin.

On Friday, 9 April, the IDF Humanitarian Assistance Mission inaugurated an improvised synagogue in a tent near the field hospital and held Sabbath prayers.

On Friday IDF soldiers inaugurated an improvised synagogue in a tent in the hospital compound and held Sabbath service there.

The hospital is organized like a military base for all practical purposes. There is an emergency ward, pediatric and gynecology wards, X-ray, laboratory, pharmacy and an operation room. There is team work between medical, electronics, logistics and paramedic teams. The hospital was built in a refugee camp holding an estimated 25,000 refugees.

IDF medic attends to elderly woman at IDF field hospital, Stenkovech, Macedonia

Doctors communicate with the help on two Albanian born Israeli doctors and with the help of an Albanian- Hebrew glossary which they composed and suspended in the hospital tents.

Stenkovech, Macedonia, 12 April 1999. IDF Field Hospital in Macedonia Performs First Surgery - IDF Spokesperson's Unit Helps Doctor Diagnose Malady Via Computer

The IDF Field Hospital continues to treat hundreds of Albanian refugees each day. Yesterday, the Field Hospital performed its first surgical operation - an appendectomy. The operation, performed by Maj. Dr. Ron Meir.

The IDF Spokesperson's Unit helped LTC Prof. Yoel Donchin diagnose a growth in a young refugee patient via telemedicine. A digital photograph of the growth, made by an IDF Spokesperson photographer was sent to the IDF Spokesperson's Internet Unit computer in Tel Aviv, and was then e-mailed to Hadassah Hospital specialist, Prof. Motti Sela who was able to offer a diagnosis.

Refugees have expressed their gratitude for the care they have received and the Commander of NATO forces in the sector said that the hospital is the most impressive compound and thanked the Israeli doctors and medical team personally for the excellent assistance they are providing to the Albanian refugees from Kosovo.

13 April, 1999, Stenkovech, Macedonia, IDF Humanitarian Assistance Mission Conducts Holocaust Memorial Day Ceremony in the IDF Field Hospital in Macedonia

Today the IDF Humanitarian mission held a ceremony to commemorate the Holocaust Memorial Day in the IDF Field Hospital in the Stenkovech Refugee Camp.

The ceremony was attended by the American Ambassador for Refugee Affairs to OPCE, William Walker, the Commander of the US Forces, the Israeli Ambassador to Greece, the Macedonian Deputy Foreign Minister, and the Head of the Jewish community. The NATO Supreme Allied Commander, Gen. Wesley Clark, and VADM James O. Ellis, Jr., Commander of US Naval Forces in Europe who is also Commander in Chief of Allied Forces in Southern Europe visited the Field Hospital after the ceremony. IDF Mission

Commander, COL Dr. Hezi Levi said in his address: "How symbolic it is to raise here and now the memory of our Jewish brethren who were destroyed on European soil simply for having been Jewish... The blood of our brothers cries out "Never Again!

Our feet are standing now in a camp holding thousands of refugees who have been uprooted from their homes simply because of their ethnic belonging." He further stated that the IDF knows how to offer an outstretched arm and to provide humanitarian aid to people of all nationalities.

14 April, 1999, Stenkovech, Over 1,000 Patients Treated at IDF Field Hospital

Yesterday (13 April) at 10:00 HRS, the one thousandth Albanian refugee patient was treated at the IDF Field Hospital in the Stenkovech, Macedonia Refugee Camp. Nine babies have been delivered by hospital staff. The Field Hospital is functioning at capacity and contains an emergency ward, an operating room, gynecology and obstetrics and orthopedic wards as well as X-ray facilities and a laboratory and pharmacy.

IDF physicians treat refugees from Kosovo at IDF field hospital, Stenkovech, Macedonia

The IDF Field Hospital is cooperating with the German Hospital and some patients have been transferred to the German Hospital to relieve the congestion at the Field Hospital.

The Hospital staff has been commended by the NATO Supreme Allied Force Commander, Gen. Wesley Clark who visited the facility yesterday after the Holocaust memorial ceremony.

19 April, 1999, Stenkovech, IDF Humanitarian Assistance Mission to Close Field Hospital 20 April, as International Relief Agencies Take Over. 1,500 Patients have been treated at the Hospital.

IDF Humanitarian Mission arrives at site of field hospital, Stenkovech, Macedonia

The IDF Humanitarian Assistance Mission, sent to Macedonia on 4 April, will close the Israeli Field Hospital tomorrow (20 April) at 14:00 hrs. The Mission will fly back to Israel on Thursday morning (22 April).

During its deployment, the IDF Field Hospital has treated approximately 1,500 patients. The IDF physicians performed two appendectomies and one D&C. Twelve babies have been delivered by the Israeli doctors.

Tomorrow, with the closing of the hospital, the patients currently being treated will be transferred to the German Red Cross Hospital in the area. The Non-Governmental Organizations are currently taking full responsibility for the refugees and will be taking over the rescue mission themselves. Israel has provided the necessary assistance in a time of need, and has completed, with great success, its two-week mission which the Government of Israel assigned it.

IDF X-ray technician Nachum Stern examining a young refugee

22 April 1999. Stenkovech, Macedonia. IDF Humanitarian Assistance Mission Returns Today - 1,600 Refugees Treated

Following a Government decision to grant medical and humanitarian assistance to Albanian refugees from Kosovo, the IDF dispatched a Humanitarian Assistance Mission under Medical Corps Command to Stenkovech, Macedonia (12 Km north of Skopje). The mission departed on 6 April 1999, and upon arrival set up a field hospital. According to the Government decision, the mission was to deploy for a two-week period.

Israeli medical team is cooperating with members of the German Humanitarian Assistance Mission

The IDF Humanitarian Assistance Mission was comprised of 74 servicemen and women. It included 12 physicians (surgeons, orthopedic surgeons pediatricians, gynecologists, an anesthesiologist, specialists in internal medicine and infectious diseases) X-ray and laboratory technicians, medics, and nurses. Two Albanian-speaking Israeli doctors were specially drafted for this mission. Some of the Medical personnel were veterans of previous IDF Humanitarian Missions abroad (such as to Armenia, Rwanda and Kenya). The IDF Field Hospital, the only one of its kind, at the time of its arrival, contained an emergency ward, operating room, obstetrics-gynecology ward, laboratory and pharmacy. During its two-week Mission, the IDF Field hospital treated over 1,600 patients, performed three operations and delivered 12 babies. Most of the patients who arrived at the Hospital for medical treatment suffered from infections in the upper respiratory system, and mild infections in the digestive system.

On 12 April, the Field Hospital performed its first surgical operation. The IDF Spokesperson's Unit helped doctors of the mission diagnose a cancerous growth in a young refugee patient, via telemedicine. A digital photograph of the growth, made by an IDF Spokesperson photographer at the scene was sent to the IDF Spokesperson's Internet Unit computer in Tel Aviv, and was then e-mailed to a Hadassah Hospital specialist, who was able to offer a diagnosis.

On 13 April (Holocaust Memorial Day), the IDF Humanitarian Assistance mission held a ceremony to commemorate the Holocaust Memorial Day in the IDF Field Hospital in the Stenkovech Refugee Camp. "How symbolic it is to raise here and now the memory of our Jewish brethren who were destroyed on European soil simply for having been Jewish... The blood of our brothers cries out "Never Again", said IDF Humanitarian Mission Commander, COL. Dr. Hezi Levi in his address.

On Memorial Day (20 April) members of the mission held a ceremony in which the Order of the Day issued by the IDF Chief of Staff, was read. In his address the commander of the IDF mission said, " We stand as proud representatives of a nation that though itself is only 51 years old, has sent us abroad to help alleviate the suffering of another people."

On 11 April, the IDF field hospital conducted its first surgical operation, and appendectomy. The operation was performed by Maj. Dr. Ron Meir, assisted by IDF Mission Commander, Col. Hezi Levi. LTC Prof. Yoel Donchin was the anesthesiologist

The IDF Field Hospital cooperated with the German Red Cross Hospital and many of the patients were transferred on 14 April to the German Hospital. In recent days, international assistance has increased and international relief organizations are playing a larger role in offering assistance.

The Non-Governmental Organizations are currently taking responsibility for the medical assistance to the refugees. On 20 April at 14:00 hours, the IDF field Hospital was closed. Patients still under treatment were transferred to the German Red Cross Hospital. Israel provided the necessary assistance in a time of need, and has completed, with great success, its two-week mission.

IDF Humanitarian Mission Arrives at Air-Base in Central Israel

This afternoon (22 April 1999) at 14:20 hours the IDF Humanitarian Assistance Mission for Albanian refugees from Kosovo, returned home. The mission was welcomed in a modest ceremony at an Israel Air Force base in central Israel. Present at the ceremony were the Minister of Health, the IDF Surgeon General, other senior IDF officers and family members.