Medical coexistence: As Israel faces a physician crisis, Arab Israeli doctors fill the gap

Israel faces a significant physician shortage, with 58% of its doctors trained abroad due to limited local medical school places. Arab Israeli medical professionals are increasingly filling this gap, comprising 25% of physicians, 27% of nurses and dentists, and nearly 50% of pharmacists. Dr. Mustafa Sarhan, an Arab Israeli family physician, highlights the challenges of studying abroad and passing the Israeli Medical Licensing Examination. He praises Israel's healthcare system as a world leader and emphasizes the "outstanding coexistence" between Arab and Jewish doctors. Dr. Sarhan's four children also pursued medicine, all studying abroad due to the scarcity of local opportunities, underscoring the critical need for more medical schools in Israel to retain talent.