Prof. Nachman Ash, who as coronavirus czar has steered Israel through the past eight months of the pandemic, was Monday named the new director-general of the Health Ministry as the country faced a new spike in cases.
The number of new daily cases continued to top the 100 mark, Health Ministry said Monday, with 145 new COVID-19 diagnoses the previous day.
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Newly appointed Health Ministry Director-General Nachman Ash
(Photo: Alex Kolomoisky)
The departing Health Ministry chief, Prof. Hezi Levi, announced Sunday that he was resigning and returning his previous position as head of Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon.
"I thank Health Minister [Nitzan] Horowitz for the trust and feel a great privilege to lead Israel’s excellent health care system,” said Ash after his appointment was announced Monday.
“The Health Ministry faces a huge challenge in dealing with COVID and strengthening the health system in all areas. I thank Prof. Hezi Levi for leading the health system during this complex period and especially for his personal contribution to the most successful vaccination campaign in the world,” Ash s.
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Prof. Nachman Ash listens as departing Health Ministry chief Prof. Hezi Levi discusses rising COVID cases in Israel, June 23, 2021
(Photo: Alex Kolomoisky)
Ash, who attended Tel Aviv University School of Medicine, also holds a graduate degree in medical informatics from a combined program at Harvard and MIT.
He is on the faculty of Ariel University School of Health Sciences and has held the post of coronavirus czar since November 2020.
Horowitz praised Ash's appointment, saying he would bring "rich professional and managerial experience" to the post.
"Most importantly, Prof. Ash sees the people in front of him and his considerations are always weighed with great social sensitivity," Horowitz said.
"We will fight the coronavirus in a professional, pragmatic and transparent manner, while strengthening the public healthcare system, reducing health disparities, and making the patient the focus,“ the health minister added.
Horowitz also thanked Levi, who has held the post since May 2020, and who led Israel's response to COVID-19.
Prof. Levi "served as director-general during one of the Israeli health system’s most challenging periods,” said Horowitz.
“Hezi has served the country with exceptional dedication, humanity and professionalism, and I am confident that he will continue to contribute his skills to the public health system."