New at Sheba: Online Committee for Pregnancy Termination

Terminating a pregnancy is a deeply personal and emotional decision for any woman. In Israel, this process involves an additional legal requirement: getting approval from a specialized medical committee that reviews each request.

To spare patients the discomfort of traveling and waiting at the hospital, Sheba has created a system that lets women complete the committee process online from home.

All that’s needed is to fill out a digital form on the Sheba website. Once submitted, a doctor will contact the patient via phone or video call - whichever she prefers - to discuss her condition and explain the next steps. The committee will then review the case independently, without requiring the patient’s physical presence. Once a decision is made, the clinic will reach out to schedule the procedure.  

“Our goal is to make this process as straightforward as possible, understanding how emotionally challenging it already is,” says Dr. Nir Meller, gynecology specialist at Sheba. “Previously, patients would spend an entire day at the hospital, only to go home and wait for the committee’s decision the next day. This new digital approach spares them that burden.”  

Dr. Meller also highlighted how the new system addresses the anxiety many women feel during this process. “I’ve met many young women who were overwhelmed, having to navigate an unfamiliar setting and interact with professionals they didn’t know - all while dealing with an already difficult situation.”  

The new online service complies with updated regulations introduced by the Lapid-Bennett government, requiring medical institutions to provide a digital option for requesting pregnancy terminations.