Medical clown demonstrating in Tel Aviv
Photo: Noam Moskowitz
Doctors rally for their rights
Photo: Mati Elmaliach
Doctors demonstrate in Tel Aviv
Hundreds of doctors, interns, students light fire, threaten to intensify strike in July unless Finance Ministry pays for extra hours, adds posts
Nearly two months after launching their strike, hundreds of doctors, interns and students took to the streets of Tel Aviv once more on Sunday, threatening to upgrade their protest.
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The protesters lit fires under the slogan: "Doctors unwilling to continue to put out fires." They threatened that come July they will only work according to regulations and without extra hours, which the doctors claim they do not get paid for.
This effectively means there would be fewer doctors on call in wards, interns would work less hours and specialists would not be able to pull off rotations.
Israel Medical Association chairman Dr. Leonid Eidelman warned that the strike might last a while. "Even if the public, which does support us right now, will get tired – we will not. We have it in us to fight for months until we reach our goal," he said.
"Unwilling to continue to put out fires" (Photo: Mati Elmaliach)
Deputy IMA chairman Dr. Yisrael Eilig also warned of a prolonged strike. "We're drowning. We're under water and we won't make it much longer. We're not going to let anyone hurt the patients, we're not going to allow anyone to hurt us."
Meanwhile, the strike continues as hospitals operate on weekend protocol, only operating and treating patients in cases of an emergency. Outpatient clinics are currently not working and scheduled surgeries and non-urgent examinations were canceled.
However, emergency rooms, delivery rooms, intensive care units and dialysis and oncology departments are operating as usual.
The doctors' representatives are scheduled to meet with Finance Ministry officials later on Sunday.
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