Kaplan Hospital Cardiology Chief Accused of Training Failures Amid Specialist Concerns

Professor Kobi George, head of the cardiology department at Kaplan Medical Center in Rehovot, has been accused of failing to provide complete training to cardiology residents, according to a report by Channel 13. The report claims that some residents did not receive training in critical parts of their specialization but later became cardiologists at hospitals across Israel without completing the full required training. This situation has drawn sharp criticism, with the conduct described as "very serious" and unacceptable to overlook.

Professor George strongly denies the allegations, stating that all residents and specialists underwent the necessary clinical, theoretical, and research training and gained the experience required to fulfill their specialization duties. He added that many graduates successfully passed certification exams and currently serve as fully qualified cardiologists. He also criticized the scientific council's recommendations as fundamentally flawed and based on an improper process, noting that no binding decision has been made by the Ministry of Health, the authorized body.

In response, Clalit Health Services announced that its CEO has ordered the formation of a committee to address the findings and recommendations of the scientific council's report on the Kaplan Medical Center training program. The Ministry of Health has been informed of the actions taken. Clalit expressed regret over the incident and emphasized its commitment to rectifying and regulating the deficiencies identified in the unusual report.