The director of Ichilov Medical Center in Tel Aviv announced that entry to the hospital will be denied to African migrants, unless if they are in need of medical attention or hospitalization.
Ichilov director Gabi Barbash issued the new instructions, in which migrant workers and refugees will only be granted access if they are in need of hospitalization or to be examined in the emergency room.
An Ichilov official said that the reason for the new instructions is purely medical and the guidelines are a response to growing concerns of tuberculosis infections.
The hospital’s management has complained for years over the vast amount of medical treatments given to the migrant and refugee population without any financial compensation. Nevertheless, the Treasury claims that the extra cost of treatment for refugees, beyond the hospital’s ongoing activity, is negligent.
