MKs get a check-up for their vocal ‘work tools’

Doctors, clinical communications specialists, nurses come to the Knesset to examine lawmakers' vocal chords.

By JUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICH
Meir Sheetrit getting vocal chord check up 370 (photo credit: Judy Siegel-Itzkovich)
Meir Sheetrit getting vocal chord check up 370
(photo credit: Judy Siegel-Itzkovich)
As “parliament” comes from the word for “speak,” MKs naturally are at higher risk for problems with their voices.
Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer on Wednesday sent 10 doctors, clinical communications specialists, nurses and secretaries from its voice lab to the Knesset to examine lawmakers’ vocal cords.
Dozens of parliamentarians came to be checked for World Voice Day (marked abroad on April 13 with the theme “Connect With Your Voice.”
Prof. Michael Wolf, head of the otolaryngology and head and neck surgery department, conducted checks with his colleagues.
Veteran MK Meir Sheetrit, who was the first to be examined, said he has been in the Knesset for 30 years and had never before received information about protecting his voice.
“The voice is our work tool, and its important that you came here to do examinations. I call on the public and my colleagues to get examined. Overuse of the vocal cords and exposure to smoke can lead to polyps and tumors. A previous MK, Benny Elon, has recovered from throat cancer,” Sheetrit said.
MK Nitzan Horowitz also praised the initiative and was pleased to be informed that his throat was healthy.
Wolf said he and his team went to the Knesset to raise public awareness of the issue.
In addition to early detection of disease, experts can also give advice about voice development to put less strain on the vocal cords and sound better.
Other MKs who were checked were Ahmed Tibi, Eitan Cabel, Nissim Ze’ev, Elazar Stern, Amnon Cohen, Nachman Shai, Ronen Hoffman, Ophir Akunis and Haneen Zoabi.
Cabel said that “what is good for my car every 30,0000 kilometer is good for me too. I always try to get medical examinations. Every year, I go to Sheba for executive checkups.
“It’s important to prevent things and treat them in time,” he added.