Dr. Moshe Ashkenazi, Deputy Director of Safra Children’s Hospital, shared his firsthand experience of receiving children who were among the hostages released last November. Reflecting on Sheba’s efforts, he emphasized how its preparation and resilience extend beyond pediatrics to all aspects of its operations.
Guided by a strong dedication to patient care and collective well-being, Sheba has established itself as a global leader in times of adversity.
Expert Teams Ready for Any Emergency
When faced with the unexpected, Sheba Medical Center acts swiftly and decisively, ensuring that no challenge is too great for its skilled teams.
On October 7, Sheba mobilized its senior medical teams within hours, transforming Safra Children’s Hospital to handle mass casualties effectively. Pediatric units were relocated to safer, more protected areas, creating a secure environment for patients and staff alike.
The sudden draft of 48 healthcare professionals, including 18 physicians and 30 nurses, posed a significant staffing challenge. Despite these obstacles, Sheba quickly adapted, reorganizing schedules and reallocating resources to maintain uninterrupted care.
Even amidst a national crisis, Sheba upheld its commitment to continuity. Routine outpatient services, planned surgeries, and ambulatory care proceeded as scheduled, reflecting the institution’s dedication to providing stability and reassurance to its patients and the community.
Care and Comfort During the Hardest Times
Sheba Medical Center’s commitment to care extends far beyond medical expertise, embracing patients’ and staff’s emotional and psychological needs. In times of crisis, Sheba ensures a supportive and protected environment where healing can flourish despite adversity.
In response to the October 7 crisis, Sheba prioritized the safety of its youngest and most vulnerable patients. Pediatric units were relocated to secure, protected areas within Safra Children’s Hospital, ensuring continuous care without compromising safety.
Understanding the emotional toll of crises, Sheba provided robust psychological and emotional support for both patients and staff. Through open communication, reassurance, and unity, Sheba fostered a stable environment, empowering its teams to remain resilient and focused during challenging times.
The stories of hostages treated at Sheba reflect the power of resilience and community. From children to elderly survivors, each patient brought profound lessons of strength and hope.
Sheba’s compassionate care during these moments facilitated recovery and showcased humanity’s unbreakable bonds in the face of overwhelming hardship.
Rising Above Loss Together
The October 7 brought a profound personal impact to Sheba’s teams, with many staff members mourning the loss of friends and acquaintances. Despite their grief, they persevered, demonstrating strong dedication to their roles.
Their ability to care for others during such a challenging time reflected the depth of their professionalism and compassion.
Amid sorrow, Sheba’s commitment to maintaining routine operations became a source of empowerment for its staff. Caring for patients, maintaining daily routines, and providing a sense of stability brought the team a fresh sense of purpose.
By continuing their vital work, Sheba’s staff found solace in the knowledge that their efforts made a meaningful difference during a time of national need.
Stories of Strength from Released Hostages
We have seen remarkable stories of survival and resilience, providing care and support to those who have endured unimaginable hardships as hostages. These narratives highlight the strength of the human spirit and the critical role of compassionate care in recovery.
Among the hostages treated at Sheba were individuals who faced harrowing conditions, including undergoing surgeries without anesthesia and surviving extreme deprivation. Despite these unimaginable ordeals, many returned with remarkable hope and optimism.
The close-knit kibbutz communities provided invaluable support that significantly aided the recovery of survivors. The bonds of solidarity and shared strength formed within these communities helped hostages and their families find emotional stability.
Our multidisciplinary teams applied their expertise to address the unique physical and psychological needs of returning hostages. From treating injuries sustained during captivity to providing comprehensive mental health support, Sheba offered tailored care to help survivors rebuild their lives.
Even amidst a national crisis, Sheba upheld its commitment to continuity. Routine outpatient services, planned surgeries, and ambulatory care proceeded as scheduled, reflecting the institution’s dedication to providing stability and reassurance to its patients and the community.
Sheba’s Preparedness From Covid-19 to Today
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sheba demonstrated extraordinary agility and innovation. Within just 48 hours, it constructed cutting-edge facilities equipped to treat patients from the Diamond Princess cruise ship.
As one of the first institutions to take on this unprecedented challenge, Sheba showcased its bravery, advanced technological capabilities, and commitment to protecting public health.
The events of October 7 reinforced the importance of balancing emergency response with routing operations. Sheba’s ability to quickly adjust to a mass casualty situation while still delivering regular outpatient services showcased the institution’s operational resilience.
These experiences have further refined Sheba’s approach to emergency preparedness, ensuring it remains ready to face future crises with strong expertise and compassion.
Solidarity Brings Strength
In times of crisis, unity becomes a powerful force and Sheba Medical Center remains committed to advocating for the safe return of the remaining hostages, raising international awareness to inspire collective action and ensure their freedom.
Support from around the world has brought comfort and strength to our patients and staff. Gifts, visits, and messages from international communities, such as toys and blankets sent by children, have provided a profound sense of encouragement during these difficult times.
Israel’s struggles resonate far beyond its borders, reflecting universal challenges against radical ideologies. Sheba’s efforts highlight the importance of standing together as a global community to protect charred values of peace, freedom, and humanity.
More Posts
Sheba’s Physicians Sweep Forbes Israel’s 2025 “Best Doctors” List
Forbes Israel has named an exceptional number of Sheba Medical Center’s physicians on its 2025 “Best Doctors” list. Earlier this year, Sheba was ranked by Newsweek as one of the World’s Top 10 Hospitals. This recognition and alignment between institutional and individual excellence signals to the global medical community that Sheba concentrates many of Israel’s most trusted clinical leaders under one roof.
Twinning and Training: Scalable Solutions for Global Eye Cancer Equity
Sheba Global Ophthalmology (SGO) demonstrates how sustainable twinning and hands-on training create self-reliant ocular oncology capacity in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), far surpassing the limitations of short-term outreach.
ARC Launches HaMeirim: Sheba’s New Cardiovascular Innovation Center
Sheba Medical Center’s ARC innovation arm has launched and inaugurated HaMeirim – ARC Cardiovascular (“The Radiant Ones” or “Those who shine”), a dedicated innovation center for the Heart, Thorax, and Vascular Center.
