Health Ministry Shuts Private Medika Hospital Over Patient Safety Concerns

The Israeli Ministry of Health ordered the immediate cessation of all operations at the private Medika Tel Aviv hospital in Ramat Hachayal on Tuesday evening, following a surprise inspection that revealed serious deficiencies. The ministry stated that continuing operations posed a "severe and immediate danger to patients." Inspectors found instances where nurses performed procedures in operating rooms instead of doctors, and other medical actions were carried out contrary to professional authority and mandatory regulations. The ministry characterized the findings as indicative of a "systemic failure" within the hospital.

A closure order was issued by the District Health Officer, effective immediately and lasting until further notice. The hospital's management, owners, and board will be summoned for a hearing, and the ministry indicated that personal measures would be considered against those who performed actions beyond their professional scope.

In response, the hospital management asserted that thousands of surgeries are performed monthly by leading Israeli doctors, meeting the highest medical and safety standards. They described the ministry's decision as sweeping and based on random findings, promising a formal response through accepted channels.

This is the second time in recent months that a hospital belonging to the Medika chain has faced closure. In July, the ministry ordered the suspension of operating room activities at Medika Rafael, also in Tel Aviv, due to similar issues including improper sterile supply procedures, a shortage of sterile medical equipment, and a lack of staff posing a risk to patients. The closure at Medika Rafael was partially lifted earlier this month after the management pledged to rectify the deficiencies.

Medika Tel Aviv is part of the Medika network, which also operates the Elisha Hospital in Haifa and a medical complex in Afula. The network is partly owned by the Clalit (34%) and Leumit (20%) health funds, with other shares held by private investors including insurance companies Harel and The Phoenix. The hospital had arrangements with supplementary insurance plans of all health funds and provided services to patients funded by the public health system via Form 17 commitments.