Over 100 veteran physicians have resigned from a number of hospitals around the country today, 18 Cheshvan, including Beilinson Hospital (Petah Tikvah), Rambam Medical Center (Haifa) and Hillel Yafeh Hospital (Hadera). These resignations are not from residents, but from specialists, veteran members of Israel’s medical community.

One of the doctors who submitted his resignation, which will take effect in 30 days, is Dr. Aviv Shaul of Beilinson Hospital. Following is a transcript of a dialogue between the doctor and Elad Kinas of Kol Chai Radio at 1:25pm today.

Lavi:

Is it true that the Health Ministry has forbidden physicians from speaking to the press?

Shaul:

I too heard this. This is absurd and the ministry may feel we many not speak, but I will speak freely.

Lavi:

What are they afraid of?

Shaul:

Just as residents feel that are incapable of continuing in the nation’s health system as it is, we too are now joining, realizing we cannot tolerate the situation anymore.

Lavi:

Is this in coordination with the residents?

Shaul:

Not at all. While we speak with one another, we did not coordinate our resignations with them. We are pleased that they too realize the unacceptable realities of the nation’s health system today.

Lavi:

Are the residents serious about resigning to the best of your knowledge?

Shaul:

Unquestionably and they are aware of long term consequences but they are serious and unwilling to continue under the current realities. 

Lavi:

The veteran physicians who resigned today are demanding to reopen the labor contract recently signed between the Israel Medical Organization and the treasury?

Shaul:

People resigned because they are fed up, simple as that. The current situation may not be permitted to continue. This is not from today or yesterday, but efforts have been underway for six months or more to make progress, but unfortunately we find ourselves were we are now. 

There are a number of petitions in the labor court against the system, the health ministry and decrying the long hours of residents. 

Lavi:

Can you explain to us just how much this will impact patients in hospitals? I am referring to recent weeks not your actual actions now towards implementing change in the system.

Shaul:

In our hospital the number of those involved in low so patients do not feel it. I believe the same is true elsewhere since we, the veteran physicians are still working and until today, we did not take part in the actions of residents. 

Lavi:

Any explanation why some hospitals tens are quitting and others the number is smaller. 

Shaul:

The larger the facilities have more doctors resigning.

Lavi:

What is the atmosphere among doctors and for those reporting for work? Is this preoccupying you or are doctors continuing to treat patients. 

Shaul:

Yes, we discuss it but once a doctor comes to work, he deals with patients and does what needs to be done for them. Patients are not being ignored. 

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)