Israeli officials reported today that West Bank residents, who have been receiving most government health services free since the 1967 Six-Day War, will be required to pay fees as of July 1, as they did under Jordanian rule. By Israeli standards, the officials added, the fees will be “extremely low.”
Some health services will continue to be provided without charge, the officials said. These include mother and child care, school health services and treatment for tuberculosis, venereal disease and epidemic illnesses. Fees will be waived for West Bank patients who are confirmed by social welfare officials as unable to pay.
The officials also reported that a new regulation will provide cancer diagnoses without charge. Under the Jordanian regime, there was no treatment for cancer in the West Bank area but currently, there are 300 West Bank cancer victims all being treated in Israeli hospitals for lack of facilities and follow-up treatment services in West Bank hospitals. Most health care services in the West Bank are under government auspices. The officials said 1000 of the 1400 hospital beds in the West Bank are government facilities and 80 of the 150 doctors are government employes.
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