Three years into the war: 30,000 wounded absorbed by the Rehabilitation Department

The Ministry of Defense released data marking three years since the war began: approximately 30,000 wounded have been absorbed by the Rehabilitation Department since October 7, 2023, of whom 63% are coping with mental health reactions. The total number of patients stands at 91,200. The department is expected to become the National Rehabilitation Authority.

The Ministry of Defense released data this morning (Tuesday) marking three years since the outbreak of the war. Since October 7, 2023, approximately 30,000 wounded men and women from the security forces have been absorbed by the Rehabilitation Department, bringing the total number of patients to 91,200 from all of Israel's conflicts. 47% of the new wounded are young people up to age 30, 62% are reservists, and 8% are women. 63% of the wounded (about 18,900 people) have been recognized as coping with mental health reactions. In the area of physical injuries, 106 amputees were reported, 249 wounded with complex head injuries, and 29 wounded suffering from permanent blindness or visual impairment. Only 63 wounded were recognized with a disability rating of 100% or more. According to department forecasts, by 2028 the number of patients is expected to reach 100,000, half of them mental health patients. Currently, out of 91,200 patients, 42,500 (about 46%) are recognized as coping with mental health issues and post-trauma. By government decision and on the recommendation of the Mor Yosef Committee, the Ministry of Defense has begun transforming the Rehabilitation Department into the National Authority for Rehabilitation and Treatment of the Wounded. The reform includes appointing a personal contact for each wounded person, simplifying disability recognition procedures, and establishing a 'Home for Life' for those with severe head injuries. The department's budget has increased by 88% over the past three years and stands at 10 billion shekels, with more than 60% allocated to mental health treatments. Over the past year, approximately 171,000 alternative treatments were realized, and 16,500 calls were answered by the Nefesh Achat helpline. The number of mental health therapists has been tripled to 2,300. Among the new responses: MATAN teams (emergency mobile units for mental health crises at the wounded person's home, dispatched to over 500 incidents since January 2024), 470 active assistance dogs and 330 more in training, and 2,425 wounded receiving full funding for studies.