In a Thursday morning 28 Sivan interview with Galei Tzahal (Army Radio), Health Minister Yaakov Litzman lashed out against the former heads of the Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital hemo-oncological (bone-marrow) unit. He told Galei Tzahal that the doctors did not quit for the good of the children as they claim to have been the case, but it is all about ego for them.
When asked if the lives of children are in danger, he stated “I do not know but I can say that I and my colleagues in the Health Ministry have done everything possible to end the dispute”.
He adds that when the doctors approached him some two months ago, together with the Director of Shaare Zedek Hospital Prof. Yonatan Halevy, he told them there would not be a unit in Shaare Zedek, seeking to send a message they need to reach agreement with Hadassah and that Shaare Zedek would not be a solution.
Litzman explains that at Hadassah, the pediatric and adult units were combined “Because Baruch Hashem there are not enough patients”, explaining a bone-marrow unit is an extremely specialized one. Litzman adds the doctors and Hadassah Director-General Prof. Ze’ev Rothstein continue negotiations but agreement has not been reached.
Galei:
Why do parents accuse you and the ministry of abandoning them and their children? It is a power struggle, a matter of ego according to the parents.
Litzman:
I told them a number of things. For one thing, I am not giving them Rothstein’s head for if he is ousted, Hadassah will collapse. Perhaps you forget he came with a fiscal rehabilitation plan which he is implementing and there is stability. I am not getting in the middle of this dispute. I am worried about the entire health system. However, their behavior is unacceptable. Where does one see doctors and nurses announcing they are packing it in and leaving, as they did?
Galei:
So you are behind Rothstein at any cost?
Litzman:
It is far more complicated but yes, I am not getting rid of him and I am not going to permit opening a unit at Shaare Zedek and he cannot do so without authorization. If Prof. Halevy does, then he will deal with the sanctions. I for one did not hear him say he was planning such a move. A director of a hospital cannot do as he pleases without first obtaining the proper licenses and authorization from the Health Ministry. (Halevy on Wednesday told the media the hospital may entertain opening the unit, later stating this was not the case).
Galei:
So why according to you did the doctors leave? They are not seeking a raise in salary so why are they doing this?
Litzman:
They want me to get rid of Rothstein and it is not happening. For them it is about ego and I am concerned about the children – bottom line.
Galei:
And they are not concerned with the children? Bottom line, until a child dies this is not going to be resolved!
Litzman:
I do not think bringing them to Sacher Park [protest tent] is the proper action. I cannot say when this will end. I can say from the ministry point of view, we have invested countless hours and have done everything we can to find a solution. I have not spoken to the media, but have been working towards finding a solution. We have done what we can. They have since brought other physicians.
Galei:
The prime minister and his wife have offered to assist. Why not take advantage of this?
Litzman:
He spoke to me about this and I am doing what has to be done.
Galei:
So the crisis is far from over?
Litzman:
I cannot remove one person at the behest of another. Their ultimatum is to oust Rothstein or open a unit at Shaare Zedek – both will bring about destruction to the healthcare system in Israel.
We have also added beds in response to claims beds in the unit are being filled by foreigners at the expense of Israeli children.
I cannot say this is easy. When I see the crisis involving small children, children who are very ill, but I can see that at the ministry, no one is taking this lightly. However, I cannot say when this will be resolved however when one knows one is doing the maximum, then one realizes there is nothing else to be done.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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One Response
Can someone answer a few questions?
Did Litzman ask the gedolim before supporting a monopoly?
Where does the Torah say we may refuse a hospital to practice medicine how it likes?
Especially with safek pikuach nefesh?
Is the Torah socialist?
“… I and my colleagues in the Health Ministry have done everything possible to end the dispute”. Does everything possible not include allowing sha’arei tzedek or a private hospital to run according to doctors recommendations?