At the hospital in Nahariya, they have been waiting for almost four months for the approval of the Ministries of Health and Finance to operate the sophisticated surgical robot "Da Vinci".
A month after the meeting of the Health Committee that discussed the issue, MK Ofir Katz (Likud) today (Tuesday) addressed the chairman of the Health Committee, MK Idit Silman, and asked for an urgent follow-up discussion on the issue.
Discussion on the robot in the Health Committee last month, Photo: Knesset Channel
"A month ago, there was a quick discussion in the Health Committee on the prevention of operating a medical service in the periphery. I initiated the discussion following inquiries from Galilee Nahariya Hospital," Katz wrote, adding: " The discussion has been going on for a month and the issue has not yet been included in a follow-up discussion. "
MK Ofir Katz: "This is about the health of the residents of the periphery", Photo: Oren Ben Hakon
Katz stressed, "This is about the health of the residents of the periphery and improving the quality of medical care they receive. This is an important issue, which we must not take off the agenda."
MK Yael Ron Ben Moshe, who worked on the issue with Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz, also expressed disappointment: "It seems that the Ministry of Health again prefers to engage in bureaucracy rather than the benefit of the citizens.
There is no problem in approving the devices for medical devices.
The fact that such a necessary device lies without the ability to operate due to bureaucratic decisions at the same time as citizens suffer, is a certificate of poverty for all involved.
I am in direct contact with the Minister of Health, almost daily and I must point out that the feeling of optimism that accompanied me a few weeks ago is disappearing. "
MK Ron Ben Moshe: "Certificate of Poverty for all involved in the issue",
In conclusion, she said: "I regret the way the Ministry of Health and its head are working and I will continue to deal with the issue until a complete solution.
As you may recall, the cost of the sophisticated robot is NIS 11 million purchased from donations.
The robot performs complex surgeries, including prostate and gastric bypass surgeries.
Its uniqueness is that the surgery is performed using a robotic arm that is inserted through a small opening and without a large incision.
The surgeon can operate it remotely and even from another room.
Recovery from surgery is faster and results are better.
Currently, patients required to undergo surgery using the device are required to travel to the center of the country.
MK Idit Silman: "I led a move on the issue of the addition in front of the Ministries of Finance and Health" // Photo: Oren Ben Hakon,
MK Silman said that "the issue of the addition of the devices will come up for discussion this week in the Health Committee.
I led a move on the issue of the addition in front of the Ministries of Finance and Health. "
The Ministry of Finance stated: "Currently, regulations under the Public Health Ordinance do not allow for the distribution of an additional license to operate a Da Vinci robot, which require an appropriate allocation of funds against it.
"During the last budget discussions, it was agreed to distribute a number of special devices while implementing the budget increase for them. The Ministries of Health and Finance are in inter-ministerial dialogue regarding the approval of additional budgets for this purpose."
