Jerusalem’s Bikur Cholim Hospital on Sunday 10 Teves 5773 ended an era. Founded in 1867, the hospital marked the end of operations and an independent organization, now being restructured as a satellite of Shaare Zedek Medical Center.

200 of the hospital’s 550 employees were dismissed or compelled to retire by the union. Only a number of the units that operated in the hospital under the Bikur Cholim name will continue under Shaare Zedek control.

The directors involved in restructuring report that most of the doctors will continue and the majority of those who will not were only employed on a very part time basis or are over 70-years-old and now entitled to pension benefits.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)