Israel’s Hadassah Medical Center could soon withdraw its operations from Russia as political tensions between Moscow and the West rise.
If media reports are confirmed, it would mark the departure of one of the few foreign healthcare institutions still operating in the country.
The medical organization Hadassah, founded in 1934, operates two major hospitals in Jerusalem, in Ein Karem and Mount Scopus, in addition to several medical schools affiliated with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Recognized as one of the leading global healthcare institutions, the center employs more than 5,000 professionals and treats more than one million patients annually.
In 2018, Hadassah launched its clinic in Moscow – Hadassah Medical Moscow – backed by a $15 million investment, with the aim of delivering cutting-edge treatments under the supervision of Israeli specialists. The facility followed international medical protocols and used drugs not yet approved in Russia. However, the situation has changed as geopolitical tensions have increased.
A pivotal moment came when a stake in the clinic was acquired by an entity linked to Rosatom, Russia’s state nuclear energy company. Since then, the number of Israeli medical staff has declined and the clinic’s reputation for providing world-class care has deteriorated. Calls for its closure have grown louder in the Israeli media, especially after reports emerged of a Hamas militant received treatment at Hadassah Medical Moscow, an action that violates the policy of the Israeli Ministry of Health.
Israeli officials also express concern about Rosatom’s influence over Hadassah Medical Moscow. Sources within Israel’s political circles suggest that Hadassah’s continued presence in Russia could be seen as a “betrayal of Israeli-Western values.”
As relations between Russia and Israel continue to deteriorate, it appears increasingly likely that Hadassah Medical Moscow will scale back or cease operations. Such a move could worsen existing problems in Russia’s healthcare sector, which is facing drug shortages due to sanctions, forcing the country find alternative supplierslike India.
Hadassah’s departure would further underscore the growing isolation of Russia’s medical industry from global standards amid the country’s escalating geopolitical conflicts.