Minister of Health Israel Barzilai notified the Knesset (Parliament) last night that the Government will have to draft doctors to serve in the border areas unless the medical profession institutes a voluntary program to end the severe shortage of doctors in the outlying regions. Mr. Barzilai, who reported to the Knesset on his Ministry’s activities, said that the country in general is in need of more doctors. According to population growth forecasts, 200 more doctors will be required each year and these are not available in Israel. Israeli hospitals are short 97 doctors, and 102 vacancies have to be filled in clinics, Mr. Barzilai said.
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