Medica CEO Resigns Amid Health Ministry Shutdown Over Serious Findings

The CEO of the Medica hospital network, Anat Nussbaum, has announced her resignation following the Ministry of Health's order to halt medical activities at Medica Tel Aviv due to severe findings. Dr. Eitan Hai-Am, former director-general of the Ministry of Health and former director of Soroka and Assuta hospitals, will replace her, according to Channel 13 News. A surprise inspection revealed critical failures in operating rooms, including surgical procedures performed by nurses without authorization, employment of anesthesiologists who were not specialists, and illegal use of narcotic drugs. The Ministry of Health described the findings as a systemic failure endangering patients.

In a message to staff, Nussbaum stated her decision stemmed from a deep sense of responsibility and leadership, emphasizing her consistent stance on oversight with the Ministry of Health. She viewed the situation as an opportunity for deep review and professional feedback to enable Medica Tel Aviv to improve and return to full operation as a safe and leading medical center, expressing full confidence in the staff to embrace the change with professionalism and mutual support.

This incident follows a July order by the Ministry of Health to close operating rooms at Medica Rafael due to deficiencies in work processes and sterile equipment supply. Activity there gradually resumed after corrections and management's commitment to licensing terms. Medica operates as a network of private hospitals, with shareholders including the Meuhedet and Leumit health funds alongside private investors.

In response to the latest findings, the network's management, owners, and board of directors were summoned for a hearing at the Ministry of Health. Medica rejected the criticism, arguing the Ministry's decision was disproportionate. The hospital stated that thousands of surgeries are performed monthly by top Israeli doctors, adhering to the highest medical and safety standards, and that patient safety and quality of care are paramount. They claim the Ministry made a sweeping, disproportionate decision based on random findings and will respond through appropriate channels.