Health Ministry Shuts Medica Rafael Operating Rooms Over Safety Failures

Israel's Health Ministry ordered Medica Rafael's operating rooms in Tel Aviv closed immediately after a surprise inspection found serious safety failures. Inspectors identified improper workflows in the operating rooms and central sterile-supply system, problems receiving sterile medical instruments, and a major staffing shortage that the ministry said endangered patients. The order halts all surgical activity until every deficiency is fully corrected. The hospital said the interruption is temporary, the rest of its services continue normally, and it is addressing the isolated incident immediately in full cooperation with the ministry, with patient safety its top priority.