Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem has received approval to significantly expand its facilities, including the construction of a new 20-story tower. This project aims to double the hospital’s capacity to better serve the growing population and meet increased healthcare demands. The new building will occupy the existing outdoor parking lot and is estimated to cost around NIS 2.5 billion. The expansion will include an entirely new emergency department equipped with the latest medical technology, and the hospital anticipates delivering approximately 30,000 babies annually once completed.
Health Minister Uriel Busso and Jerusalem Affairs Minister Meir Porush announced this development on Jerusalem Day, emphasizing its importance as a strategic move to bolster the city’s health infrastructure. Shaare Zedek President Prof. Jonathan Halevy highlighted that the project will enhance both physical and mental health care, as the hospital will incorporate the Kfar Shaul Mental Health Center, creating a unified treatment facility.
The project is scheduled to be executed in two phases, with the initial phase expected to open in about six and a half years, featuring the lower nine floors. The entire facade will be completed early on, with additional floors opening several years later. The hospital’s current services, which already treat over a million patients annually through its 30 inpatient and 70 outpatient units, will be expanded and upgraded.
This expansion reflects the city’s demographic forecasts, which project Jerusalem’s population will double by 2045. Hospital officials emphasized that without such developments, many patients would be left without adequate medical care. The project also aims to improve mental health services by offering inpatient beds, complementing the existing outpatient psychiatric care.
Shaare Zedek’s move to enlarge its facilities underlines its role as the largest multidisciplinary hospital in Jerusalem, known for delivering around 21,000 babies each year, making it the busiest obstetrics department globally. The hospital continues to adapt to the needs of the community, ensuring access to critical health services for both physical and mental health. The government’s support and donations from the public are crucial in funding this large-scale expansion, which will solidify Shaare Zedek’s position as a key healthcare provider in Israel.
Comments are closed