Medical residents say hundreds to quit every week, starting today: ‘Nothing to lose’

Dr. Rey Biton, head of the Mirsham organization of medical residents, holds a press conference on August 25, 2022. (screenshot)
Dr. Rey Biton, head of the Mirsham organization of medical residents, holds a press conference on August 25, 2022. (screenshot)

An organization representing medical residents is announcing hundreds of resignations due to the long-running dispute with the Health Ministry over lengthy prolonged shift hours.

The Mirsham organization says some 200 are submitting letters now, as a first stage, with many more coming if the crisis is not solved. Mirsham had given the Health Ministry a 2 p.m. ultimatum to meet its demands.

“Every week on Thursday at 2 p.m. further resignation letters will be filed in similar numbers,” says Dr. Rey Biton, head of Mirsham, addressing the government. “We very very much hope that before those letters take effect in some two weeks, you will wake up.”

“We are not afraid. We have nothing to lose,” she says.

While the government had originally agreed to shorten shifts by April this year, a July announcement said that the change would be pushed off until September 2023, angering the residents, citing procedural problems caused by the upcoming elections.

“The resignation letters being submitted right now with an aching heart and trembling hand are an indictment” against the government for failing to live up to its promises to end 26-hour shifts, Biton says.

“You are leading to the worst health crisis in Israel’s history,” she adds. “The government is not taking responsibility, only hiding behind the elections as though such an excuse can keep the disgrace away.”

Biton says the government “has decided to forsake” doctors and patients.

“We can no longer bear the injustice, pay the price and hurt our health and that of our patients,” she says.

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