Allergy Group Sues to Halt School Nurse Reform

The YAHEL organization, dedicated to food allergy counseling and guidance, has filed a petition with the High Court demanding the cancellation of a pilot program by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health. The program, set to launch in eight elementary schools, proposes replacing personal medical assistants for students with life-threatening allergies with a single qualified nurse for each school.

YAHEL argues that the roles of a personal assistant and a school nurse are not interchangeable. The organization contends that one nurse cannot provide the constant, vigilant supervision during meals, breaks, and extracurricular activities that is crucial for preventing allergen exposure. They are seeking an immediate freeze on the project and the continuation of existing personal assistance during the legal proceedings.

The Ministry of Education disputes these claims, stating the reform aims to improve the quality of medical care. They point out that personal assistants lack professional medical training, whereas qualified nurses can assist all students in need, including those with diabetes and epilepsy. The dispute escalated after the ministry refused to suspend the program for the start of the school year and delayed responding to YAHEL's concerns until formal requests were made.

According to data from the Knesset Research and Information Center, the number of students eligible for medical support in the education system has surged from 511 fifteen years ago to 10,312 in the 2024-2025 academic year. The majority of these cases are related to food allergies.