The Israeli government has allocated more resources to health services in the periphery following pressure from the Negev Coexistence Forum for Civil Equality (NCF) and Physicians for Human Rights Israel (PHRI) with support from NIF.

The Negev and the Galilee are considered Israel’s “periphery” and face huge economic disadvantages compared with much of the rest of Israel. The Israeli government recognizes this fact, has labeled these areas “national priority regions,” and allocates extra benefits to the area. Until now, the economic allocations addressed issues of housing and welfare, and offered tax breaks to encourage investment— but it did not include supplemental health services.

Now, thanks to the work of these NIF grantees, the government is finally giving appropriate attention to healthcare as well. It recently decided to offer additional health services that had not been previously included in the package of benefits. The change will allow the government to channel more funds for health services through the local authorities to areas that desperately need them.