They only reach the hospital on the verge of death, dying from diseases thought to be a thing of the past
A field report describing a night with volunteers from the "Refuah LaRechov" (Healing the Street) association in south Tel Aviv. Dr. Talia Israel, an internal medicine physician from Ichilov Hospital, and field coordinator Yana Klerman go out to meet homeless people who refuse to turn to the official medical system. Many of them only arrive at the hospital in terminal conditions, suffering from diseases like HIV and tuberculosis. The report focuses on the effort to build trust, treat wounds, and human encounters on the street.
A ynet field report accompanies volunteers from the "Refuah LaRechov" association for one night in south Tel Aviv. Dr. Talia Israel, an internal medicine physician at Ichilov Hospital, field coordinator Yana Klerman, and medical student Keren Segal go out with flashlights and medical bags to the streets of the Neve Sha'anan neighborhood. The goal: to provide medical care to homeless people who do not turn to the official healthcare system. Dr. Israel explains that at the hospital she only sees them when they are on the verge of death, suffering from severe infections and diseases like HIV and tuberculosis. The gap between the chaotic street and the clinic, distrust of the establishment, and a feeling that they are not entitled to care prevent them from receiving help. The volunteers offer cold juice as an opening for conversation, and from there trust is built. The story of Jerome, a homeless man who suffered from infected wounds on his legs and could not walk, demonstrates success: after weeks of treatment, he suddenly appeared walking on his own two feet, just to say thank you. The report notes that the Ministry of Welfare recognizes about 4,000 homeless people, with an annual increase of 8%, but the volunteers report a sense of frustration given the scope of the problem.