Establishment of a New, Advanced and Protected MRI Unit

MRI Unit at Hillele Yaffe Medial Center - Illustration image

Hillel Yaffe Medical Center is the largest regional hospital between Tel Aviv and Haifa, serving a continuously growing population of approximately 650,000 residents.

The MRI Unit is a core component of the hospital's Imaging Department, providing essential diagnostic services for patients from the Emergency Room (ER), inpatient departments, outpatient clinics, specialized institutes, and community referrals.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is one of the most advanced and indispensable diagnostic imaging technologies in modern medicine. It provides highly accurate, radiation-free imaging and serves as a cornerstone in the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range
of medical conditions, including neurological diseases, tumors, brain and spinal cord injuries, emergency medical conditions, and many others. Its exceptional diagnostic accuracy enables rapid clinical decision-making, supports the planning of complex medical procedures, and facilitates ongoing assessment of treatment effectiveness.
An additional major advantage is its safety for children and pregnant women, as it does not involve exposure to ionizing radiation.

Israel faces a significant shortage of MRI scanners, and their geographic distribution is uneven. This situation creates heavy workloads, prolongs waiting times, and disproportionately affects residents of the country's peripheral regions, where the number of MRI scanners is considerably lower than in central Israel.

Hillel Yaffe Medical Center currently operates a single 1.5 Tesla MRI scanner, purchased approximately 13 years ago and approaching the end of its technological lifespan . Reliance on a single scanner creates a substantial workload and significantly extends waiting times for MRI examinations. Furthermore, the existing MRI unit is not protected , limiting the hospital's ability to provide timely diagnostic imaging during emergencies as well as in complex and urgent medical situations .

A regional hospital serving hundreds of thousands of residents cannot rely on a single aging MRI scanner housed in an unprotected facility. This situation exposes the hospital to a real risk of service disruption in the event of equipment failure or emergencies, potentially compromising continuity of diagnosis and treatment and depriving the region's residents of access to an essential, life-saving medical service.

MRI Unit at Hillele Yaffe Medial Center - Illustration program

Project Scope

1. Construction of a new, protected MRI suite of approximately 90 square meters, adjacent to the existing MRI suite.

2. Acquisition of a new 3 Tesla MRI scanner (helium-free) - Purchase of a state-of-the-art Philips MR Elition 3 Tesla MRI system, one of the world's most advanced MRI platforms. This environmentally friendly helium-free technology offers exceptional operational reliability and outstanding imaging performance.

3. Upgrade of the existing 1.5 Tesla MRI scanner - A comprehensive technological upgrade will transform the current scanner into a next-generation imaging system, providing improved image quality, shorter examination and waiting times, increased daily scanning capacity, and an enhanced patient experience.

Project Cost

The total estimated project cost is approximately NIS 16.7 million.

1. Equipment – approx. NIS 9.5 Million | USD 3.26 million
(exchange rate: US$ 1= NIS 2.92)

Upgrade of the existing 1.5 Tesla MRI scanner.

Acquisition of a new state-of-the-art helium-free 3 Tesla MRI scanner.

2. Construction - approx. NIS 7.2 million.

Expansion of the MRI unit to approx. 270 m², including construction of a new protected MRI suite of approx. 90m².

Renovation and reconfiguration of the existing MRI Unit,
covering approx. 180 m².

Project Funding

The Friends of Hillel Yaffe Medical Center Association has committed to supporting this vital initiative and aims to raise approx. NIS 5 Million through philanthropic contributions.
The Medical Center is making every effort to secure the remaining funding, with the goal of completing the project by the third quarter of 2027.

MRI Unit at Hillele Yaffe Medial Center - Illustration image

Project Timeline

Phase 1 - Upgrade of the existing 1.5 Tesla MRI scanner.
Target completion: Q3 2026.

Phase 2 - Completion of the protected MRI suite and installation of the new 3 Tesla
MRI scanner.
Target completion: Q3 2027.

A new, advanced, and protected MRI unit will play a critical role in safeguarding the health of hundreds of thousands of residents, both during routine times and in emergencies. We respectfully ask for your support in recognizing the urgency and importance of this essential initiative and in helping us bring this project to fruition as quickly as possible through your generous contribution.