Doctors from the former USSR saved Israel's medicine, and now there is no replacement for them

A quarter of specialist doctors in Israeli hospitals are approaching retirement age. In palliative medicine, this figure reaches 48%, in pediatric surgery — 36%, in geriatrics — 34%, and in oncology — 28%. Doctors, including immigrants from the former USSR, continue to work after age 67 due to staff shortages and low pensions. The healthcare system faces a serious deficit of specialists, especially in narrow fields.

Israel's healthcare system is experiencing a staffing crisis: 24% of specialist doctors in hospitals are approaching retirement age. In palliative medicine, this figure reaches 48%, in pediatric surgery — 36%, in geriatrics — 34%, and in oncology — 28%. Many doctors, including immigrants from the former USSR, continue to work after age 67. Professor Yoav Chapman, a 69-year-old neurologist at Sheba Medical Center, retired two years ago but continues to work part-time and heads the Israeli Neurological Association. He notes that Israel lacks several hundred neurologists, and attracting young doctors is hindered by low salaries. Professor Avraham Weiss, a 75-year-old geriatrician, continues to work at Clalit Health Services and privately. Doctors cite low pensions as one reason to keep working. The shortage is especially acute in the periphery and in narrow specialties. The mass aliyah of doctors from the former USSR in the 1990s created an illusion of inexhaustible staffing, but today this resource is depleted.