Experienced immigrant doctors from certain countries to be exempt from licensing requirements

Bill would recognize the US, France, Sweden, Britain, Germany, Switzerland, Holland, Belgium, Australia, Norway, Canada and Austria as countries with high-level medical care.

By JUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICH
Doctor [Illustrative] (photo credit: INGIMAGE)
Doctor [Illustrative]
(photo credit: INGIMAGE)
A private member’s bill that would allow experienced physicians from developed countries to start practicing in this country immediately, without having to pass licensing exams or repeat internship, was tabled on Monday by Likud MK Sharon Haskel.
 
This step would not only free the immigrant doctors of unnecessary bureaucracy but also ease the shortage of physicians in the health system, she said.
According to the bill, the exemption would be given to doctors who worked abroad -- in “certain countries” with high-level health systems like that in Israel -- for at least five years.
 
The bill would recognize the US, France, Sweden, Britain, Germany, Switzerland, Holland, Belgium, Australia, Norway, Canada and Austria as countries with high-level medical care.
There is no requirement of doctors speaking Hebrew fluently even now, as they can get help in communicating with patients via nurses and translators.
 
“One of the sad phenomena with which we are struggling is a brain drain of doctors. We must take action to bring them back and encourage additional brainpower to come to Israel and work here,” Haskel said. “The earlier they integrate into the country, the more they will be able to contribute to society.”