Health Ministry Director-General Moshe Bar Siman-Tov has informed Health Minister Haim Katz of his decision to step down from his position in the coming weeks, after a cumulative total of approximately nine years as the ministry's director-general. The Health Ministry announced, adding that "Bar Siman-Tov will work to ensure an orderly transfer of duties and transition with whoever is appointed to the position." Minister Katz, who also simultaneously serves as Tourism Minister, Construction and Housing Minister and Social Affairs Minister, stated: "I thank Bar Siman-Tov for the fruitful cooperation in advancing initiatives to improve medical services and expand responses to patients' needs, and wish him great success in his continued path."