While  only a number of days ago the media in Israel was obsessing over speculation of a possible IDF military assault against Iran, that has not taken a backseat to the rapidly erupting national health crisis.

If the healthcare system strike shifted gears on Tuesday (18 Cheshvan) with the resignation of senior physicians around the country, then the labor battle moved into a high gear today, Wednesday, 19 Cheshvan, when the Ministry of Health ordered Rambam Medical Center in Haifa to dismiss ten senior physicians.

The senior physicians on Tuesday decided to take a major step to support the ongoing battle of residents, and some 100 physicians submitted letters of resignation that were to take effect in 30 days. Doctors explained the healthcare system is collapsing and residents are correct in their struggle.

On Tuesday night, Health Ministry Director General Roni Gamzu visited Rambam, calling upon the senior physicians to withdraw their letters of resignation, which they refused to do.

Deputy Minister of Health Yaakov Litzman, who maintains ministerial authority is playing hardball, using Ronald Reagan tactics against the senior doctors, instructing Rambam officials on Wednesday morning to fire ten of them, immediately. Rambam administration refused to comply, explaining such a move would compromise patient care and as such, compliance is not possible at this time.

Rambam doctors held an urgent labor meeting on Wednesday morning and the decision was made to launch a strike until 10am. The strike placed the government hospital on Shabbos mode, and all non-emergency cases were diverted. The Health Ministry responded with the instructions to fire ten doctors.

The situation is heating up in other government hospitals as well and the prime minister, who is officially the minister of health as well, is being called upon to intervene as the nation’s healthcare system faces an unprecedented blow, with both residents and senior physicians threatening to quit.

Doctors, residents and the deputy minister all appear serious in their tenacious determination to dictate policy, while hospital administrators, patients and their families wonder how long will it take until patient care is compromised.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)