Following the severe damage to Soroka Hospital, which led to the paralysis of the only major medical center in the southern part of the country, the Ministry of Health has instructed hospital administrators to work toward maximum reduction of patients. Among other things, they were instructed to prepare for discharging new mothers within 12 hours after childbirth – instead of the current 36 hours for a normal delivery and 48 hours for a cesarean section. This information comes from a letter sent by the Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Sefi Mendlovic, to hospital and health fund managers, which was obtained by ynet.