Comments on: Health Care Israeli Style

By: Eric

Eric — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:52:31 +0000

Do you think your issue is a problem all around Israel or just in Tsfat? Is it a regional issue in the North in general? I have never had anything worse than strep throat in Israel, so my experiences do not include anything as dramatic as what you have gone through.

By: anthonyreich

anthonyreich — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 07:51:27 +0000

Leah, thanks for your comment. I am sorry to hear of your experiences, and that the quality of your medical treatment in Israel did not live up to your expectation, nor to the standard that could be reasonably expected for somebody in your situation. I think it would be fair to say that all countries have their fair share of individual doctors who do not treat patients in a professional way. The number of malpractice suits in the US each year bears testament to this fact. The intention of my blog was to say how accessible and reasonably priced medical care in Israel is, relative to some other places around the world. Despite your story and bad experiences, I still feel that this is the case. I wish you a refuah shleima and a complete recovery.

By: Leah

Leah — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 23:19:52 +0000

Let me note that while living in Israel in Tzfat, my medical care was less than stelar, not once in 18 months did the doctor examine me, he in fact merely continued me on my US medications, no blood work, no testing . When we returned to the US I was horrified to discover that both my husband and I had been taking cholesteral medication that had already been banned here in the US. In addition I was witness to a total lack of care for many immigrants to Israel, we personnally knew seven different individuals who recieved inadequate diagnosis, two of who unfortunately died as a result of the lack of care. THe doctor had my complete medical file and knew I was a cancer survivor, yet he failed to order any exams even though my back was extremely painful, on returning here to the US we discovered that I have a growth on my spine, which now has gone too far and can not be corrected.