The latest report shows that Israel has a lower rate of hospital beds compared to the average of developed countries. Specifically, Israel had 2.1 general ward hospital beds per thousand people in 2022, which is below the OECD average of 2.4. In terms of psychiatric hospitalization beds, Israel has only 0.3 beds per thousand inhabitants, compared to a higher average of 1.3 in developed countries. Additionally, Israel has only 0.3 rehabilitation beds per thousand people, which is also below the OECD average of 0.5.
Despite these challenges, the Ministry of Health is taking steps to improve the healthcare system in Israel. Plans are underway to add approximately 1,790 additional general hospital beds in the next five years, bringing the total number of general hospital beds in Israel to around 17,500. Furthermore, there will be an addition of 300 rehabilitation beds and new centers opening in Jerusalem and the north. In addition to this, there will be an addition of approximately 245 psychiatric wards beds mostly in general hospitals.
Minister of Health Uriel Bosso stated that Israel is going through a complex period but efforts are being made to improve the healthcare system and provide better quality medical care for its citizens. Director General Moshe Bar Siman Tov emphasized the importance of adding more beds and increasing medical personnel to improve medical services in Israel and make it more accessible to all citizens.
Overall, the goal is to enhance the health system by increasing accessibility to medical care and addressing future challenges while improving the quality of care provided by medical personnel.
In conclusion, although Israel currently has lower rates of hospitalization beds compared to developed countries’ standards, it plans on adding thousands more over the next few years with new centers opening up as well as increasing medical personnel numbers and students specializing in different fields throughout all regions across country to improve health services quality and accessibility for its citizens while providing better quality care for them too.