A Summer of Extraordinary Medical Challenges

Making my way through the bustling hallways last week, one of Sheba’s most senior physicians told me, “I have never treated so many sick people during the summertime.” Indeed, July and August are usually a bit less challenging but this year something has changed dramatically.

The rapid spread of the West Nile Virus, a new corona variant, as well as a variety of other maladies have impacted adults, teens and children alike.

Global warming? Daily stress from the war lowering immune system responses to fend off viruses? Probably. But then again, significant parts of the Western world as we know it have also been impacted by both West Nile and corona as well.

There can be no doubt that the stress that the average Israeli citizen has been experiencing since October 7 has had a negative impact our bodies and souls. Doctors & researchers are analyzing the different spikes in physical and mental challenges that almost all of us have been experiencing, including soldiers, hostages and their families. For the moment, the doctors know what the short term results are, based on what is currently transpiring at Sheba and other medical facilities across the country. But no one knows what the long-term impact will be, especially since the war appears to be far from over.

Heroically, a number of our top doctors are spending the summer months rotating between sick patients at Sheba and donning an IDF uniform to treat injured soldiers in Gaza as well. Yes, this takes a toll on them, as they are not only torn away from their families and daily routines but also dealing with horrific realities. As one Sheba doctor told me, “It is very difficult for me sometimes to declare a formerly totally healthy 20 year old young man, dead on the battlefield.”

In this edition, you will read a truly inspiring story about Dr. Elai Golan, who after nearly being burned alive by Hamas terrorists on October 7 and saved from death by our intrepid doctors, is completing her medical studies at Sheba before returning to Soroka Medical Center in Beersheva. You will also read about our on-going preparations for mass casualty events emanating from the North.