Life expectancy in Israel today is 71 years for men and 73 for women, Dr. Moshe Prywes, associate dean of the Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School of Jerusalem reported tonight at a dinner sponsored by the American Physicians’ Committee, medical arm of the American Friends of the Hebrew University. For the Arab citizens of Israel, life expectancy “is about twice as long as that in the neighboring Arab countries,” he added.
Dr. Prywes expressed regret that Israel’s achievements in health and medical education cannot be applied in the neighboring Arab countries, “which reject all kinds of cooperation–even in this field.” At the same time he voiced satisfaction that “new horizons have recently opened with respect to other new and emerging nations in Africa and South Asia.” “Israel,” he said,” is doing its best to assist the efforts of these countries in the fields of health and medical education, as in other spheres.”
Describing Israel as “an island of health in the Middle East,” Dr. Prywes stated that “during the last few years we have succeeded in eradicating or in bringing under control all the infectious diseases which are endemic in this region.” He reviewed the role of the Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School in achieving these results. He further reported that the Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School now has an enrollment of approximately 800 students, while 400 full-time teachers and research scientist are on its staff.
The Hebrew University’s significant contributions to underdeveloped areas of the world were also emphasized by Bernard Cherrick, executive vice-chairman of the board of governors of the Hebrew University. He reported on the growing number of students from African and Asian countries who are studying at the university. “They will apply the knowledge and skills acquired in Jerusalem to the progress and welfare of their respective lands ” he declared. “This may well prove to be one of the significant cultural developments of this area, since it holds the promise of a brighter future for generation ” still unborn.”
In reviewing the activities of the American Jewish Physicians’ Committee in behalf of the Hebrew University since 1921, Dr. John Garlock, president of the committee, stat that “at the moment every effort is being exerted to supply the university with the necessary funds to finish the Medical School buildings. The future efforts of the American Jewish Physicians’ Committee will be in the direction of enlarging the program of postgraduate education in the State of Israel, and of lending encouragement to the development of medical research activities in the Medical School.”
Dr. Israel Wechsler, honorary president of the American Friends of the Hebrew university, laid particular stress on the importance of furthering the medical research program of the university. Dr. Wechsler is a noted American neurologist.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
