Outrage after move to extend medical residencies for those doing over 45 days reserve duty

Renee Ghert-Zand is the health reporter and a feature writer for The Times of Israel.

Medical residents demonstrate for better work conditions on HaBima square in Tel Aviv, on August 30, 2022. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)
Medical residents demonstrate for better work conditions on HaBima square in Tel Aviv, on August 30, 2022. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)

Mirsham, the organization of medical residents in Israel, reacts harshly to a letter sent by the scientific council of the Israeli Medical Association informing medical residents that they would have to extend their residencies if they do more than 45 days of military reserve duty this year.

“This letter is scandalous and shows a total disconnect from reality,” Mirsham said in a statement.

Thousands of medical residents have been called up to reserve duty since the beginning of the war on October 7, many of whom had been required to do reserve duty earlier in 2023 as well.

With the length of the current call-up unknown, these residents will likely exceed the 45-day limit.

Mirsham call for a reversal of the policy.

“We are deeply disappointed at the poor timing of the publication of this letter when doctors have left their families behind at home and are risking their lives for the country,” Mirsham stated.

In its letter, the IMA recognized the difficult situation of medical residents who have been called to military duty or who have lost loved ones in the barbaric October 7 attacks by Hamas terrorists from Gaza and the ensuing fighting — or both.

However, it also mentioned the heavy strain Israel’s healthcare system is under trying to treat the huge number of injured without many residents at work in the hospitals.

In response to the complaint from Mirsham, the IMA said it would reconsider the 45-day policy, but noted its responsibility to properly balance reserve military duty with sufficient medical training.

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