Deputy Health Minister (Yahadut HaTorah) Rav Yaakov Litzman had words of praise for Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu after the latter decided to exclude the Barzilai Hospital fortification project from the ministry’s budgetary cuts.

The project involves building an emergency room and other areas of the hospital capable of withstanding rocket attacks from Gaza, and realizing the need, Mr. Netanyahu told Litzman that this project will not be impacted by ministry cuts. As such, the ongoing project will continue and it is hoped it will be completed by the May 2014 deadline as reported. Also applauding the decision is Dr. Chezi Levy, the director of the hospital, who pointed out that the medical facility was in rocket range too often in the past and as the primary medical center in the region, providing the fortification is critical.

Levy thanked the prime minister on behalf of the 500,000 residents whom rely upon the facility and its staff.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)