Health Ministry Shuts Private Assuta Hospital Over Patient Safety Concerns

Israel's Ministry of Health has ordered the immediate closure of the private Assuta hospital in Tel Aviv, citing severe findings from a surprise inspection conducted last Thursday. The ministry reported that medical procedures were performed without proper professional authorization and identified other deficiencies in medical conduct and work processes.

According to the ministry, the "totality of the findings indicates a systemic failure in the hospital's operations and a severe and immediate danger to patients' health and safety." The district doctor issued an order to cease all medical activity at the facility effective immediately, pending further notice.

Hospital management, owners, and the board of directors will be summoned for a hearing regarding the identified conduct. The Ministry of Health is also considering personal actions against individuals found to have acted outside their professional scope.

These current findings follow similar serious deficiencies discovered in July during a prior surprise inspection at Assuta Rafael, another hospital in the same network located in Tel Aviv's Atidim Park. Following that inspection, the ministry had already ordered an immediate halt to surgical room activities at Assuta Rafael.

Assuta hospital responded, stating that thousands of surgeries are performed monthly by top Israeli doctors, and they adhere to the highest medical and safety standards. The hospital called the ministry's decision "sweeping and disproportionate," based on random findings, and vowed to respond through official channels.