HMCN can arrange for the medical PROFESSIONALISM you need and the RELAXATION you deserve.

Israel is a major medical tourism destination primarily due to its worldwide reputation for high quality healthcare and world-renowned medical facilities. Complicated treatments and procedures that would be unavailable in other countries are available in Israel at reasonable costs, including orthopedic surgeries, oncology and cancer treatments, fertility and IVF treatments and neurosurgery.

Patients from all over the world are drawn to Israel's quality healthcare services.

Healthcare System in Israel
Israel's high standards in healthcare services, top-of-the-line medical resources, ultra-modern hospitals and healthcare facilities, and a very high specialist-patient ratio makes the Israeli healthcare system one of the most advanced and innovative anywhere in the world. Israel's reputation as a healthcare leader in various fields of medicine is unquestionable.

The Israeli Ministry of Health is responsible for the control and management of health policies in the country, including the standardization and implementation of health regulations among the various hospitals and health centers in the nation.

The Ministry of Health also regulates the qualification and certification of Israel's doctors and other medical professionals, some of whom have developed a reputation that is known throughout the world.

Most Israeli medical practitioners put a high emphasis on further education, enabling them to become experts and super-specialists in their chosen medical fields. 

Practical Information
Below is some information to facilitate planning your trip. This information may give you an idea of what to expect when you are in the Holy Land.

Religious Holidays
When planning your trip to the Holy Land, you should always take into consideration the religious holidays of the region and its people. Since the Holy and represents Christianity, Judaism, and Islam (in addition to Druze, Bahai, & Samaritans) there are many holidays that affect your trip. Christmas, Easter and Jewish Holidays affect the cost of a tour and the flexibility of visits to certain churches and sites.

The Jewish Sabbath (Saturday) is the official weekend in Israel.

Climate
The Holy Land enjoys long, warm, dry summers (April-October) and generally mild winters (November- March), with somewhat drier, cooler weather in hilly regions, such as Jerusalem or the Mount Hermon. Rainfall is relatively heavy in the north and center of the country with much less in the northern Negev and almost negligible amounts in the southern areas. Regional conditions vary considerably, with humid summer sand mild winters on the coast, dry summers and moderately cold winters in the hill regions, hot dry summers and pleasant winters in the Jordan Valley, and year-round semi-desert conditions in the Negev.

 What to Pack
A small day pack is indispensable for making short trips and day tours. 
Also necessary:

• A sun hat, sunscreen, sunglasses and comfortable walking shoes.
• Bathing suit/trunks.
• During summer please bring along clothes suitable for very hot climate.
• Should you in the winter time, a raincoat and warm clothing would be recommended.

When visiting religious sites, take care to be modestly dressed. When visiting the Western Wall, please have your shoulders covered. E.g. light scarf, T-shirt covering the shoulders.

Currency
The currency of Israel is the New Israeli Shekel (NIS). Each Shekel is divided into 100 Agorot. Bank notes circulate in denominations of NIS 200, 100, 50 and 20 shekel bills and coins of 5, 10, 1 shekel and 50 or 10 Agorot.

One may bring an unlimited amount of local and foreign currency into the country in cash and travellers checks. In Israel most places accept the dollar, Euro or Pound Sterling. Keeping that in mind, we still recommend that you exchange some of your currency to New Israeli Shekel. Major credit cards (American Express, Diner’s Club, Visa and Mastercard/Access/Eurocard) are widely accepted throughout Israel. Holders of Visa or Mastercard/Access/Eurocard credit cards may withdraw cash at the foreign currency counters of affiliated banks or at certain automated teller machines (ATMs).

Money Exchange - Do not exchange your money in a bank! The commission charged is astronomical! The solution is to go to "Change Place" shops scattered all over the place and in most shopping centers. They take no commission and equal the bank rates.

Electrical Appliances
The electric current in this region of the world is 220 volts AC, single phase, 50 Hertz. Most local sockets are of the three-pronged variety but many can accept some European two-pronged plugs as well. Electric shavers, traveling irons and other small appliances may require adapters and/or transformers which can be easily purchased.

Telephones
Public Telephones are operated with a plastic credit card size phone card, available at post offices and your hotel news-stand.

The international dialing prefix for Israel is +972-xxxx followed by the respective city code of your dialed destination; e.g. for Herzliya +972-9-xxx.

Cellular Telephones
You may rent your personal cellular phone directly with HMCN prior to your departure.

If you bring your own cellular phone that accepts SIM cards, you can buy a local SIM card and get a local number. This is worth the money if you are staying in the country for a long time and will need a phone regularly. It is illegal to drive while holding a cell phone.

Weights and Measures
The metric system is used exclusively. One kilometer is a bit over 1/2 mile (0.62 miles). One kilogram equals 2.2 pounds.

Passports and Visa
Every visitor to Israel must hold a valid passport (with at least two empty pages left); Visitors may remain in Israel for up to three months from the date of arrival, subject to the terms of the visa issued.