Latin American ambassadors go behind-the-scenes in MDA's lifesaving efforts

A delegation of Latin American ambassadors visited MDA, exploring its state-of-the-art facilities and emergency response efforts, while also donating blood to support its lifesaving mission.

A delegation of Latin American ambassadors to Israel recently visited the Magen David Adom (MDA) Blood Services Division at the Marcus National Blood Services Center in Ramla, gaining firsthand insight into the emergency services organization's critical work.

The visit, spearheaded by Ruth Wasserman Lande, MDA’s head of global strategy, and led by MDA Director General Eli Bin, included a comprehensive tour of MDA's advanced operational and medical facilities.

The ambassadors received an in-depth look at MDA's state-of-the-art facilities and emergency response capabilities. This included a close inspection of their mobile intensive care units (MICU), motorcycle ambulances (ambucycles/Medicycles), standard ambulances, mobile intensive care buses, Unimog evacuation trucks, and off-road response units.

They were also introduced to MDA’s proprietary AI-powered dispatch systems, highlighting the organization’s cutting-edge approach to emergency medical services.

Panama’s Ambassador Ezra Cohen was joined by ambassadors Antonio Ignacio López Escarré from Costa Rica, Tesla Flores from Honduras, María Cristina Cevallos Calero from Ecuador, Ava Atzum Arévalo de Moscoso from Guatemala, Héctor Celarié from El Salvador, and Alejandro Rubín from Paraguay.

Uri Shacham addressed the envoys, providing powerful and detailed accounts of MDA’s experiences responding to terror, particularly during the horrific events of October 7.

He shared compelling evidence, including videos obtained by MDA from security footage in Sderot amid the massacre and recorded emergency phone calls received by dispatch that day from survivors and those who tragically perished.

Shacham also highlighted MDA's innovative measures and proactive preparedness. He recounted a specific incident just weeks before October 7, where a 6-year-old boy with nearly severed fingers received critical emergency surgery thanks to MDA's swift response and technological tools.

A photo of the injury, quickly transmitted via MDA’s systems, allowed specialists to prepare for reconstructive surgery. The child was then efficiently transferred via MDA helicopter to a team of microsurgeons on call during the Rosh Hashana holiday, ultimately sparing him from amputation.

MDA leadership prepared for the October 7 massacre

The delegation also learned about MDA's foresight in preparing for the October 7 massacre. Despite being told by the military just two days prior that there were no expectations of an attack, MDA leadership decided to prepare for the worst, putting volunteers and staff nationwide on high alert.

Shacham further detailed how invading Hamas terrorists targeted MDA, ambushing and killing one medic and attempting to breach the Sderot station. By a "miracle," the gate to the facility, which typically opens after a siren, remained closed that morning, protecting the staff from a large-scale ambush. The Shin Bet later revealed plans by terrorists to seize control of the MDA building in Sderot.

Ambassadors from across Latin America also toured the Marcus National Blood Services Center, the world’s first secure, underground facility of its kind. They observed how MDA collects, tests, and supplies vital blood units to hospitals throughout Israel and the IDF, significantly decreasing mortality rates in soldiers and civilians alike.

They also visited MDA’s Sussman Human Milk Bank, which provides essential breast milk for premature and ill infants whose mothers are unable to nurse, demonstrating MDA's comprehensive approach to health needs across all ages.

The visit concluded with several ambassadors voluntarily donating blood, demonstrating their tangible support for MDA’s lifesaving mission.

Panama’s Ambassador to Israel, Ezra Cohen, told the Jerusalem Post: "Visiting Magen David Adom today was a powerful reminder of the extraordinary role this institution plays in Israeli society. MDA responds to moments of critical need with unwavering professionalism, cutting-edge efficiency, and above all, a profound human touch. It is an organization that serves every segment of the population with dignity and compassion, embodying the very best of Israel’s values."

Ambassador Cohen also thanked MDA on behalf of the diplomatic corps, stating, "Magen David Adom’s work is incredibly moving. I visited MDA in the past — it was an unforgettable experience. Immediately afterward, I told all my fellow ambassadors that they must come and see MDA’s operations with their own eyes. There are no words to express my gratitude for everything you do."

MDA Director General Eli Bin underscored the significance of the visit: "Magen David Adom is Israel. We are proud to host the Latin American ambassadors and officials visiting us today. Your presence is a great honor for Magen David Adom and an important step in strengthening ties between MDA and the international community. For over 95 years, MDA has been at the forefront of medical and humanitarian work, responsible for emergency response across Israel. Your visit underscores the value we place on international cooperation, and I look forward to deepening the connection forged here today."