Prof. Chezy Levi to Quit Health Ministry Post After Less Than a Year

Health Ministry Director General Professor Chezy Levi is set to quit his post less than a year after taking over from his predecessor, Yediot reported Monday.

Prof. Levi assumed the post in June of last year after the previous director general, Moshe Bar Siman Tov, left his position over pressure stemming from the continued surge of the coronavirus pandemic.

Healthcare sources said that in recent weeks Prof. Levi has held talks with some of his peers and expressed his desire to leave the position over the heavy workload and constant pressure.

The sources believe that even if Health Minister Yuli Edelstein, who appointed him, remains in office after the elections and asks Levi to continue working as the director general, he will likely refuse.

Prof. Levi will likely opt to go back to his previous post as the CEO of Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon, which he has held since 2012. Before taking up the role of director general, Levi had been “furloughed” by the hospital, providing him a legal loophole in case he decides to come back.

Prof. Levi’s team issued a response, saying that “he is not exhausted and will lovingly continue to perform the difficult and demanding role.”