An 85-year-old man who was pronounced dead by a Magen David Adom physician about six weeks ago was released from Tel Hashomer Hospital and transferred to the Beit Rivka Geriatric Hospital in Petach Tikvah for rehabilitation.

According to Prof. Avi Livne, the patient arrived following a stroke, requiring assisted breathing. He was unable to communicate with his surroundings at that time but now, he has regained consciousness.

The MDA physician already issued a death certificate but when the Zaka volunteer arrived with a body bag, preparing to remove the deceased, he realized the man was far from dead, despite his difficult medical condition. It appears the MDA physician did not perform the required medical inspection prior to pronouncing the patient dead.

MDA reports the physician in question was suspended and eventually dismissed from the service. The paramedic on the scene was transferred to the blood bank, removed from emergency response responsibilities.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)