The Health Ministry has conducted a comprehensive operational drill preparing Israel's medical system for Super El Niño events and extreme weather scenarios, as part of broader preparations for climate change impacts.
The exercise brought together representatives from hospitals, health maintenance organizations, Magen David Adom, Fire and Rescue Services, Home Front Command, the National Emergency Authority, along with the Energy Ministry, National Security Council and Welfare Ministry.
The drill tested the health system's readiness for scenarios including floods, heavy snowfall and powerful winds, and their potential consequences for medical operations: power and water outages, blocked access routes, structural damage, shutdown of clinics and medical facilities, and provision of care to at-risk populations.
Participants also examined responses to health consequences that may develop following extreme weather events and climate shifts, including increased incidence of rabies, West Nile fever and other diseases.
