The foundation of the health system, including a
network of medical services for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment,
was laid during the prestate period by the Jewish community and the
British Mandate authorities, which administered the country from 1918 to
1948.
Thus, when the State of Israel was established, a well-developed
medical infrastructure was already functioning, immunization was
standard procedure, and frameworks for improving environmental
conditions were operative. However, in the early years of statehood, the
health services had to readdress some of the problems previously
overcome in order to cope with the health needs of hundreds of thousands
of refugees from postwar Europe and from Arab countries. This challenge
was met through an intensive national effort involving provision of
special services as well as a far-reaching plan of health education and
preventive medicine.
The country's population is served by an extensive medical network
comprising hospitals, outpatient clinics, and centers for preventive
medicine and rehabilitation. Hospital care includes highly advanced
procedures and techniques, from in vitro fertilization, MRI scans, and
complicated brain surgery to bone marrow and organ transplants.
Mother-and-child care centers, for women during pregnancy and
children from birth to early childhood, offer prenatal examinations,
early detection of mental and physical handicaps, immunizations, regular
pediatric check-ups, and health education.
Courtesy: Shaare Zedek Hospital