Subscribe to Print Edition | Mon., March 24, 2008 Adar2 18, 5768 | | Israel Time: 06:53 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Health Minister Yacov Ben Yizri. (Tess Scheflan / Jini) Last update - 23:45 23/03/2008 Health Ministry requests urgent funds for refugee health care By Ruth Sinai, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: health care  Health Minister Yacov Ben Yizri on Sunday asked the Director General of the Prime Minister's Bureau Ra'anan Dinur for an immediate NIS seven million budget, designated for treating Africans who have infiltrated Israel illegally, many of whom suffer from contagious and chronic diseases. Health Ministry officials believe that the request will be granted. The purpose of the requested budget is to treat African infiltrators and refugees, vaccinate them, test them for HIV and AIDS, hospitalize those suffering from tuberculosis, hepatitis and cancer and to deliver babies. The Health Ministry estimates that among the infiltrators currently in Israel, some 100 of them suffer from AIDS, and dozens have cancer. Advertisement The organization "Physicians for Human Rights" welcomed Ben Yizri's initiative as the first step toward taking responsibility for the thousands of Africans who have entered Israel over the last 18 months. In an attempt to force the state to provide medical care to infiltrators, some of whom have fled persecution and others are seeking employment, the organization shut down its free clinic in southern Tel Aviv, which served this population for many years. The clinic was closed as an act of protest, but the closure also stemmed from an overload of patients due to a recent surge in infiltration of Africans across Israel's border with Egypt. The Health Ministry hoped that volunteer organizations would continue to take upon themselves the care for this population. The ministry said Sunday that they had offered Physicians for Human Rights financial assistance to help lighten the load, but the organization said that the problem was not financial, because the organization was based entirely on volunteers. "Two-three volunteer doctors can't give the kind of care needed for the hundreds that come here every night," the organization's spokesman said. Hundreds of African refugees hope to make it to Israel. Dozens have been detained over the past year and at least six have been killed this year by Egyptian border guards. Africans began trickling into Israel in 2005, after Egyptian authorities quashed a demonstration by a group of Sudanese refugees. In recent months, the number has surged as word spread of job opportunities in Israel. More than 7,000 African migrants have entered the Jewish state illegally in just over a year, including at least 2,000 since January, according to U.N. officials in Israel. Related articles: PM: Israel to send back refugees who infiltrate from Sinai Some 2,400 African refugees have entered Israel this year Tel Aviv setting up tent city for African refugees African refugee en route to Israel shot dead by Egyptian border police Bookmark to del.icio.us   Getting online, already A gov't official is planning the first Web site 'to connect all Jews around the world'. Naim to meet you French-Israeli folk singer Yael Naim isn't worried about becoming too commercial.   1.   more incentive for them to come 22:38  |  Jane 23/03/08   2.   As always,"Physician for Human rights" sabotage Israel`s existenc 22:54  |  Absolute Sweden 23/03/08   3.   #2 As always - you`re unfocused on reality 23:14  |  Kate 23/03/08   4.   for once.... 23:20  |  Kobi former swede 23/03/08   5.   can`t believe i`m reading this 23:30  |  Jon 23/03/08   6.   Remember once that we were strangers too 02:03  |  Vernon Marriott 24/03/08   7.   What to do? 06:00  |  Mark Lincoln 24/03/08

Today Online Hezbollah: We have proof Israel killed Mughniyah Responses: 151 Gideon Levy: Blind int'l friendship enables Israel to kill, settle Responses: 179 Editorial: Swiss gas deal with Iran a disgrace, like WWII neutrality Responses: 162 Barak to Cheney: Iran is a threat to the region, the world Responses: 111 Jerusalem official denies reported truce offer to Hamas, Jihad Responses: 79 Rosner's Domain New Guest, Daniel Kurtzer: since '93 U.S. didn't help peace process succeed Govt. to appeal ruling on classified material in AIPAC trial I've known my rabbi for more than 20 years... (WTR) There's no need for American pressure on Israel Poll: Mideast summit in Moscow, a good idea? More Headlines 03:13 Israel shifts stance on agreement with Hezbollah 03:07 Study: 'Big Brother' monitoring alive and well in Israeli workplace 05:40 Jewish Agency turns to Haredi donors as budget dwindles 04:27 Laser is future of anti-missile technology, despite doubts 06:33 U.S. Jewish movement embraces mixed marriages, reaches out to kids 04:22 Loving Jesus, fearing the neighbors in Ariel 06:19 The Singapore of the Mideast 03:10 Meretz in 'twilight of its years' according to own audit 06:38 Holocaust commission on treatment of survivors wraps up hearings 03:19 Hamas, Fatah officials in Yemen sign deal to revive direct talks 03:20 PM aide planning Website 'to connect all Jews around the world' 04:29 Barak to Cheney: Iran is threat to region, world Previous Editions Select Day 23 mar 21 mar 20 mar 19 mar 18 mar 17 mar 16 mar 14 mar 13 mar 12 mar 11 mar 10 mar

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