Common Ailments

The health problems faced by Israeli's today are similar to the ones faced by the Western world. Cancer and heart diseases amount for 2/3rd of the total deaths in the country. Other issues such as environmental changes, aging issues, health problems due to change in people's lifestyles and occupational hazards are also a cause for concern for the government.

The government also runs a number of public awareness programs. One such program which has been extremely successful is the AIDS awareness program. The number of Israeli's suffering from AIDS dropped drastically from 0.96 per 100,000 people in 1990 to 0.47 per 100,000 people in 1996.

Here is how all the ailments are covered under the Israeli health care system -

- All Israeli citizens are required to hold membership with one of the health care organizations

- No health care organization can stop any Israeli from becoming its member on any grounds such as age, health condition, etc.

- If a person is not satisfied with the service or for any other reason wants to transfer to another health care organization may do so at the end of every year

- All health care organizations should provide similar medical treatments and maintain similar service standards

- A registered member can avail of medical diagnosis and medical treatment at their home or at a nearby clinic

- The membership covers all hospitalization costs for maternity, chronic disease, psychiatric treatment or general ailments

- All medical surgeries and organ transplants are covered in the membership. If a certain surgery or organ transplant cannot be done in Israel then the person can travel abroad and get his medical treatment. The membership will cover all costs of the treatment

- Children may avail of preventive dental care treatments

- A person can avail of transportation from and to a clinic or hospital

- Basic first aid services

- All workplaces to provide basic medical care

- People suffering from alcohol problems or drug abuse can get medical treatments in rehabilitation centers

- Obstetric treatment and services

- Medical service and treatment for people suffering from violence

- Physical and occupational therapy for people requiring paramedical services

- Treatment of all chronic diseases

According to the National Health Insurance Law that was passed in 1995, the government cannot reduce the number of medical services it provides. It can definitely increase the list of services. Also, for medical conditions that are not covered in the health organization membership plans, residents can avail of a supplementary insurance that will cover those medical services that are not included in the basic services list. The resident will have to pay an extra premium for this supplementary insurance.

Most Israeli's are satisfied with the level of health care service that is provided to them. A satisfaction survey that was conducted some time ago stated that 78 % of the people were satisfied with the level of medical service they had received. The satisfaction level varied between the health organizations, wherein, more than 90% of the people were satisfied with two organizations and more than 80% of the people were satisfied with the other two.