Rambam Summary of Maccabiah Experience

The 20th Maccabiah games come to a close today. Rambam Health Care Campus—the medical center serving Haifa participants—provided medical services to participants, despite the complex logistics involved.

For the past two weeks, Rambam Health Care Campus has been the health care provider for participants of one of the largest sporting events in the world. Seventy 70 Rambam physicians have been on duty at the various competitions in Haifa, closely monitoring competitors, helping patients, and providing medical treatments in the field and in the hospital. During the Maccabiah, 57 participants came to Rambam’s emergency room for a variety of injuries, as part of a "fast track" that was opened to quickly provide treatment following first aid they had received in the field.

The Rambam doctors primarily treated sports injuries and bruises, including sprains, cuts, and fractures. The hot weather was also felt among the Maccabiah participants, some of whom suffered from dehydration and heat stroke. Some participants also suffered from infection, season viruses, as well as getting stung by a jellyfish and a scorpion. A number of competitors complained of unexplained bruising on their thighs. It turned out that the swimmers were unused to long swimming shorts; too tight, they had pulled the shorts up—the cloth had pinched their skin and caused bruising!

"We are proud to take part in such a great event," says Professor Rafi Beyar, Director of Rambam. "The youth games are a great opportunity for the city of Haifa and we are happy to help and make our excellent doctors available to the participants. As the games end, we are pleased with this successful effort."

Enjoy some of the action at the Maccabiah!

Photography and Videography: Netanel Ayzik, Spokesperson's Office, RHCC