Medical residents end resignation threat, say deal reached after Lapid intervenes

12 September 2022, 9:14 pm

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Dr. Rey Biton (center), head of the Mirsham organization of medical residents, holds a press conference alongside other residents in Tel Aviv on August 25, 2022. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)

Medical residents threatening mass resignation over their work conditions say they have reached a deal, after Prime Minister Yair Lapid intervened.

Mirsham, which represents medical residents in Israel, has been lobbying the Health Ministry to reduce shifts from 26 hours to 16-18, saying that the long shifts are a danger to both the medical professionals and the patients.

Dr. Rey Biton, who is leading the strike, says Lapid spoke to her from Germany where he is visiting.

“Today, we have advanced dozens of steps forward. We have brought a great achievement,” she says.

Sources traveling with Lapid say that despite being in Berlin, he was involved in helping to resolve the dispute and that the residents will begin shorter shifts from September 23.

Reports say he ordered the finance ministry to allocate NIS 66 million to finance the move.