The Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, in cooperation with the Ministry of Health, announced on Tuesday the launch of the “Path to Medicine” program – a comprehensive program aimed at facilitating the integration of oleh (immigrant) doctors from non-visa-waiver countries into the Israeli healthcare system. The announcement of the program was made during a visit by the Minister of Aliyah and Integration, Ofir Sofer, to Rambam Health Care Campus, during which the minister met with 30 oleh doctors and hospital deputy directors, Prof. Yael Shachor Yochas and Dr. Avi Weissman.
The “Path to Medicine” program will enable oleh doctors to receive the necessary training to integrate more smoothly into the healthcare system, and to adapt socially and professionally. During the program’s announcement at his visit to Rambam, Minister Ofir Sofer spoke about the growing need in the healthcare system due to a shortage of doctors, and the desire to enable olim to integrate fully and successfully into the Israeli labor market. “The ‘Path to Medicine’ program is designed precisely for this purpose; it combines professional training with an important educational process for oleh doctors, which will lead to their success in the local medical field,” noted Minister Sofer.
The “Path to Medicine” program leads to a more efficient and faster training process for the government licensing exam and professional culture in Israel. The program, which will last approximately 8 months, will combine professional studies for the government licensing exam with clinical Hebrew studies, emphasizing conduct in everyday medical situations such as patient intake, communication with medical teams, writing medical documents, discussions in clinical consilia, and public speaking in clinical cases. Within the framework of the program, participants will receive in-depth preparation for the licensing exam, lessons on medical ethics, dealing with unusual events, and integration activities in Israeli society.
Doctors participating in the program will also benefit from educational activities such as hospital tours, participation in a medical quiz, lectures on medicine and Judaism, and tours on medical topics in Israel. In addition, they will have the opportunity to learn about various fields of medicine in Israel and meet experienced doctors who will accompany them in personal meetings and serve as mentors for each of them.
“The reality of the healthcare system in Israel presents a great challenge: on the one hand, there is a shortage of doctors, and on the other hand, there is a genuine desire among new olim to integrate into the field of medicine in the country. ‘Path to Medicine’ is the perfect solution for both needs,” states Dr. Efrat Afalo, head of the Doctors Administration at the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration. “The program allows oleh doctors to specialize and complete their training in Israel, and at the same time, it opens doors for them to integrate into the labor market within the healthcare system.”
The Ministry of Aliyah and Integration’s activities for oleh doctors have been evident in recent years through the Doctors Administration – a national joint program of the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of the Negev, Galilee and National Resilience, the “Nefesh B’Nefesh” organization, and the Jewish Agency. Over 1,000 doctors have joined the Israeli healthcare system in the past two years, and hundreds more doctors are expected to immigrate in the current year. “This positive trend strengthens public health services in the country, and it is our duty to act to facilitate the professional and social integration of doctors. In the Doctors Administration, we work to encourage the immigration of doctors from various countries, assist in licensing and integration processes, and even placement in the healthcare system.
Minister of Aliyah and Integration, Ofir Sofer: “The ‘Path to Medicine’ program is an important program that provides oleh doctors with the necessary tools for success in the Israeli healthcare system. The combination of professional training with social and community support helps address the challenges of immigration and health. This is a significant investment that joins the immigration of over 1,000 doctors within the framework of the Medics fairs, which are jointly organized by the Ministry with the Ministries of the Negev and Galilee, Health, Nefesh B’Nefesh, and the Jewish Agency. We continue to strengthen immigration to the State of Israel and assist olim in placement in professions and their integration into the community.”
Related Topics
