2,300 medical residents threaten to quit after rejecting shift plan

• Author: JERUSALEM POST STAFF
• Published date: 06 October 2021
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

"We woke up to a very difficult morning," said the Mirsham union for medical residents. "They lied to us. They deceived us. They sold us. They told us stories. With a shaking hand and a heavy heart, letters of resignation from 2,300 interns, students and residents will be filed tomorrow. We ask forgiveness from the patients. We are sorry for the extreme step we have to take."

For the past few weeks, the interns have been protesting against having to work 26-hour shifts, demanding that the shifts be shortened.

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Mirsham stated that the proposed plan would only shorten shifts for non-surgical professions, meaning that 90% of residents would continue working 26-hour shifts. Coronavirus wards, internal medicine and emergency rooms were also not included in the proposed plan.

According to the plan, the shifts for interns at 10 hospitals in the periphery will drop to 18 hours, with six shifts per month. Emergency and ICU interns will only have their shifts shortened in six months. The Health Ministry demanded that a start date for the plan not be announced or decided.

The union stressed that 25% to 30% of interns should be included in any...