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Israel has 3.5 active doctors per 1,000 people, compared with an OECD average of 3.9.
By Shula Rosen
A new national initiative led by former Tel Aviv University medical school dean Prof. Yossi Makori aims to bring 2,000 ultra-Orthodox men and women into Israel’s health care system within five years as the country faces a growing shortage of doctors, N12 reported.
According to the program’s organizers, participants will receive assistance completing matriculation exams, preparing for psychometric entrance tests, and navigating admissions interviews for medical schools.
The initiative will also provide scholarships, tutoring, and ongoing academic guidance during medical studies.
The expanded framework will, for the first time, include support for candidates applying to six-year medical degree programs, in addition to existing support for four-year graduate-entry tracks.
The program, organized by the Kemach Foundation in partnership with the Health Ministry, the Joint Distribution Committee, the Ministry of Jerusalem and Jewish Tradition, the Ministry of Labor, the Authority for the Socio-Economic Development of the Ultra-Orthodox Sector in the Prime Minister’s Office, and United Hatzalah, will provide academic preparation and support for ultra-Orthodox students pursuing careers in medicine and health professions.
“There is no attempt here to lower the bar,” Makori told N12. “There will be no special conditions, only support to bring them to the required level. Getting into medical school is very difficult, and they will have to meet the accepted standards.”
Makori said the goal is to increase awareness of medical professions within the ultra-Orthodox community beginning at the high school level.
“First and foremost, we want to raise awareness in the ultra-Orthodox community regarding training in the medical professions, so that already in high school they can complete full matriculation exams,” he said.
Program organizers said only a limited number of ultra-Orthodox students currently study medicine in Israel, with many leaving the process before admission because of academic, financial, and social barriers.
The initiative comes as Israel faces a continuing shortage of medical personnel.
According to a 2023 OECD-based report cited by the program, Israel has 3.5 active doctors per 1,000 people, compared with an OECD average of 3.9.
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