Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov)
Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov)
Israel, Tel Aviv
Michael Shapira
36 years of experience
Clinic is certified :
Transplantology in Israel typically costs from $191,300 to $316,700. Final expenses depend on the type of organ or tissue, donor compatibility, and the patient's age. Israel offers high success rates with savings of approximately 35-60% compared to the United States, making it a key destination for specialized cell therapies and living donor procedures.
Typical Transplantology Costs in Israel
Most transplant procedures are performed in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, where world-class medical centers are concentrated. While costs are generally consistent across the country's major hubs, you should consult with a specialist to get accurate pricing and legal guidance for your specific case.
| Israel | Turkey | Austria | |
| Lung transplant | ≈ $190,000 | ≈ $140,000 | ≈ $350,000 |
| Liver transplant | from $250,000 | from $45,000 | ≈ $140,000 |
| Kidney transplant | from $100,000 | from $16,000 | ≈ $95,000 |
| Heart transplant | ≈ $140,000 | ≈ $175,000 | ≈ $140,000 |
| Heart and lungs transplant | ≈ $280,000 | ≈ $150,000 | ≈ $230,000 |
No hidden fees – just official clinic prices. Pay at the clinic for Transplantology treatment upon arrival and use a flexible installment plan if needed.
Bookimed is committed to your safety. We only work with medical institutions that maintain high international standards in Transplantology treatment and have the necessary licenses to serve international patients worldwide.
Bookimed offers free expert assistance. A personal medical coordinator supports you before, during, and after your treatment, solving any issues. You're never alone on your Transplantology treatment journey.
Dr. Amos Toren is a pediatric hemato-oncologist at Sheba Medical Center. He served as Director of the Pediatric Hemato-Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant Division. Dr. Toren holds a PhD in Human Genetics. He specializes in CAR T-cell therapy and bone marrow transplantation for children. Forbes Israel has recognized his expertise in hematology.
Dr. Hana Golan heads the Pediatric Hemato-Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation Division at Sheba Medical Center. She specializes in high-risk pediatric tumors and complex childhood cancers. Dr. Golan serves as the principal investigator for the High-Risk Neuroblastoma ESIOP protocol. She practices at a hospital ranked among the global top 10 by Newsweek.
Prof. Ido Nachmany heads the Second Surgical Department at Sheba Medical Center in Israel. He was recognized by Forbes as one of the country's top physicians. Prof. Nachmany specializes in robotic surgery for the liver, pancreas, and bile ducts. He focuses on treating gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors using minimally invasive techniques.
Dr. Einat Shacham Shmueli is a senior medical oncologist at Sheba Medical Center. She specializes in gastrointestinal cancers, treating the colon, stomach, and pancreas. Dr. Shacham Shmueli holds dual board certifications in oncology and gastroenterology. She trained at UCSF in the United States. Her clinic at Sheba Medical Center is ranked among the top 10 hospitals worldwide.
Written by Veronika Kazina
Written by Ana Hurevska
Written by Ana Hurevska
International patients cannot practically receive organs from deceased donors in Israel due to severe legal restrictions. The 2008 Organ Transplant Law prioritizes citizens and residents. Foreigners are placed at the bottom of the national waiting list. This makes access to deceased donor organs nearly impossible for non-residents.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While deceased donation is restricted, Israel excels in complex living donor procedures. Data shows high success rates at facilities like Sourasky Medical Center, which treats 1,800,000 patients annually. For international cases, focusing on living kidney or liver donation with a compatible family member is the only viable path.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that hospital staff confirm ineligibility for deceased donor organs upfront. Many suggest exploring living donation or looking at other countries if a family donor is unavailable.
Israel reports some of the world's highest transplant success rates. Kidney transplant recipients see 90% to 95% 1-year survival. Leading centers like Sheba Medical Center and Hadassah Medical Center achieve these results through advanced HLA-typing and living-donor programs. Most procedures perform above global averages.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israel's unique point system for organ donors significantly reduces waiting lists. Data shows centers like Sheba and Sourasky handle massive volumes, with over 1,800,000 patients annually. This high frequency allows surgeons to refine techniques, leading to record-breaking months with over 50 successful transplants nationwide.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize choosing living-donor procedures whenever possible for superior outcomes. They also recommend verifying surgeon credentials through official health ministry records before the procedure.
Leading transplant centers in Israel include Hadassah Medical Center, Sourasky Medical Center, and Sheba Medical Center. These JCI-accredited institutions are recognized by Newsweek as the world's best hospitals. They specialize in complex kidney, liver, heart, and bone marrow transplantations for international patients.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli medical centers often consolidate expertise by appointing Forbes-ranked specialists to lead dedicated departments. For instance, Hadassah Medical Center features multiple doctors like Dr. Gal Goldstein and Dr. Polina Stepensky who are recognized as top specialists. This creates a high-density environment of peer-reviewed expertise within a single facility.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that organ matching can often happen faster in Israel than in Europe due to local donation laws. They emphasize the importance of securing second opinions and navigating the bilingual care system with the help of patient advocates.
Donor operations in Israel primarily utilize minimally invasive techniques like laparoscopic and robotic-assisted surgery. These methods reduce recovery time for living donors of kidneys and livers. Surgeons use high-precision tools like the Da Vinci system to ensure safety and organ viability during the procedure.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli centers like Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) prioritize hybrid laparoscopic techniques. This approach balances surgical speed with minimal scarring. Our data shows liver donors return to activities twice as fast compared to traditional open surgery. Choosing clinics with Da Vinci technology often results in shorter hospital stays.
Patient Consensus: Donors often mention that small incisions and specialized pain management make the recovery much easier. Many feel reassured by the thorough pre-op testing like HLA-typing and DNA-tests.
English communication is standard across Israeli transplant facilities. Major centers like Sheba and Hadassah maintain dedicated international departments. Most transplant surgeons, including Prof. Michael Shapira at Sourasky Medical Center, are fluent. They often complete fellowships in the US or Europe.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Our data shows that top-rated clinics like Sheba and Sourasky handle massive patient volumes. Sheba treats 1.5 million patients yearly across 1,990 specialties. This high volume drives these centers to standardize English communication. It ensures safety for the thousands of international patients they serve.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that while surgeons are usually fluent, you should explicitly request English versions of discharge papers. Coordinating with the international office in advance helps avoid potential language friction with administrative staff.
Israel's Don't Give, Don't Get rule is a priority system for organ transplants established by the 2008 Organ Transplant Act. It grants preferential standing on waiting lists to registered donors. The policy applies when two patients have equal medical urgency for a transplant procedure.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli medical centers like Sheba and Sourasky manage massive patient volumes, often exceeding 1,500,000 annually. This high activity level makes the priority rule a critical tie-breaker. Because these centers perform tens of thousands of operations yearly, being in a higher priority tier can significantly impact wait times for stable patients.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that international travelers usually default to the lowest priority tier unless they can provide official donor registration documents. It is important to discuss your donor status with your treating physician early to understand how it affects your timeline.
Israeli hospitals accommodate religious needs through standardized services including kosher catering, prayer rooms, and Shabbat-compliant facilities. Joint Commission International (JCI) accredited centers like Sheba and Hadassah integrate spiritual values into transplant care. Facilities provide access to clergy and specialized dietary plans to support diverse patient backgrounds.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli transplant centers like Hadassah and Sheba Medical Center manage over 1,000,000 patients annually. This high volume makes religious accommodation a routine part of clinical flow. For example, medical teams are specifically trained in halacha, the Jewish law, to balance life-saving transplant procedures with religious observance.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that while Jewish customs are the default, staff readily provide halal food and prayer space for other faiths. Many recommend bringing personal items like a Bible or prayer rug to feel more at home.
Israel is a premier neurosurgery hub due to its fusion of high-density medical innovation and elite surgical expertise. Top facilities like Sheba Medical Center integrate AI-guided navigation and real-time intraoperative MRI. Specialized centers report 98% success rates for complex procedures including awake craniotomy and movement disorder treatments.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data shows a clear divide between public and private options in Israel. Private centers like Assuta Medical Center perform over 92,000 operations annually and allow patients to select their specific lead surgeon. This is a vital advantage for complex cases where a specific expert like Dr. Eli Ashkenazi is preferred for his 1,000+ spine surgery record.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize bringing original imaging on a USB for local review to streamline the surgical plan. They also note that private packages often include hotel coordination and airport transfers, making the logistics much smoother.
Israeli neurosurgeons treat a full spectrum of conditions ranging from brain and spinal tumors to complex functional disorders. Specialized centers utilize advanced technologies like Gamma Knife, deep brain stimulation, and intraoperative MRI to manage epilepsy, Parkinson disease, and cerebrovascular pathologies with high precision.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli hospitals often combine specialties to handle complex cases. At Sourasky Medical Center, neurosurgeons like Dr. Zvi Lidar bridge neurosurgery and orthopedics for spinal care. This multidisciplinary approach allows clinics to perform 34,000+ operations annually. Choosing a facility with this crossover expertise often leads to more comprehensive treatment plans for degenerative diseases.
Patient Consensus: Patients value the ability to access specialized treatments like fluorescence-guided surgery for tumors which are often unavailable elsewhere. Many note that the staff is fluent in English and provides clear communication through teleconsultations before traveling.
Israel is home to world-renowned neurosurgery centers like Sourasky Medical Center, Sheba Medical Center, and Hadassah Medical Center. These facilities are globally ranked for treating complex brain tumors, spinal disorders, and movement diseases. They utilize advanced technologies like Gamma Knife, robotic systems, and intra-operative MRI.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Our data shows that while most patients focus on Tel Aviv, Rambam Medical Center in Haifa offers unique expertise in neuro-trauma. It operates a specialized neuro-ICU and serves nearly 1 million patients annually. This makes it an essential choice for complex post-trauma brain surgeries that requires intensive recovery support.
Patient Consensus: Patients note it is important to start consultations early. They often highlight that the precision and follow-up care for complex brain tumors exceeded their expectations. One patient emphasized how quickly they could connect with top professors for second opinions during critical neurosurgical cases.
Israel's leading neurosurgeons include Prof. Zvi Ram, Prof. Shlomi Constantini, and Prof. Itzhak Fried at Sourasky Medical Center. These specialists hold leadership roles in the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies (EANS) and the World Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery (WSSFN). They utilize advanced intraoperative mapping and robotic systems.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data from Sourasky and Sheba indicates a strong correlation between high surgical volumes and patient safety. For example, Sourasky performs 34,000+ operations annually with a 90% oncology success rate. Patients seeking complex tumor removals should prioritize centers like these where surgeons perform hundreds of specific cases each year.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize the importance of finding a surgeon who specializes specifically in your condition rather than a generalist. Many note that high-volume centers provide better access to English-speaking staff and coordinated care for international visitors.
International neurosurgery patients in Israel must provide comprehensive medical records including recent MRI or CT scans translated into English. Admission requires a clinical review by specialists to confirm treatment feasibility. Hospitals often mandate full advance payment or a significant deposit before confirming surgery dates or issuing visa support letters.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data shows that top Israeli facilities like Sheba Medical Center and Hadassah Medical Center handle massive patient volumes, exceeding 1,000,000 people annually. This high demand means clinics prioritize complex or rare cases over routine procedures. Patients with unique or high-risk conditions often receive faster admission approval than those seeking standard treatments available elsewhere.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that having all imaging results ready in English is essential for quick scheduling. Many emphasize that while the medical care is excellent, coordinating around Shabbat closures is necessary to avoid unexpected diagnostic delays.
A standard stay for neurosurgery in Israel ranges from 10 to 14 days for uncomplicated cases. Patients undergoing complex procedures like brain tumor removal or deep brain stimulation often require 4 to 6 weeks. This timeline covers pre-operative diagnostics, the surgical procedure, and essential post-operative monitoring.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data from Sourasky Medical Center shows they treat over 400,000 patients annually with high success rates. Clinics with such high volumes, like Hadassah or Assuta, often have streamlined discharge protocols. This helps international patients transition to hotel-based recovery faster while maintaining access to top specialists.
Patient Consensus: Patients note it is vital not to rush home too early. Some travelers extended their stay to 3 weeks due to swelling or to ensure they received final surgeon clearance before flying.
Israeli neurosurgery uses robotic guidance, real-time 3D imaging, and incisionless technologies to minimize physical trauma. Systems like Mazor Robotics provide sub-millimeter precision for spine implants. MRI-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) treats tremors without incisions. These advanced tools ensure high accuracy and reduce recovery times.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli clinics like Sourasky or Hadassah integrate proprietary Israeli-born technologies like Surgical Theater before they hit global markets. Our data shows these centers often use VR flight-through models for pre-surgical planning. This allows surgeons to rehearse complex cases, which is a key factor in their 90% success rates.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that technologies like the Gamma Knife allowed them to return home in days rather than weeks. Many move from traditional 10cm incisions to cuts under 2cm when using robotic-assisted systems.
Israel is a global leader in neurosurgery due to its integration of proprietary medical innovations and internationally trained specialists. High-capacity centers like Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) perform over 34,000 annual surgeries. Patients access advanced techniques like awake craniotomy and MR-guided focused ultrasound.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli neurosurgery stands out because of the high concentration of dually certified experts. Many top surgeons, such as Dr. Zvi Lidar, are certified to practice in both Israel and the USA. This ensures that patients receive American-standard surgical care while staying in Tel Aviv or Jerusalem. Our data shows that private centers like Assuta offer significantly faster access to these specific specialists compared to the public system.
Patient Consensus: Patients note it is important to confirm a surgeon's specific volume of cases for your exact condition. They also value the ability to get expert second opinions quickly through online consultations with world-renowned professors.
Sheba Medical Center and Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) are among the best neurosurgery hospitals in Israel. These JCI-accredited facilities perform thousands of operations annually. They utilize advanced technologies like CyberKnife and intraoperative MRI to treat complex brain tumors and cerebrovascular lesions.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Our data shows that top Israeli centers like Sourasky and Hadassah perform over 40,000 total operations yearly. This high volume allows surgeons to maintain a 90% success rate even in complex oncology cases. Patients seeking robotic spine surgery or deep brain stimulation should focus on these high-capacity municipal centers for the most experienced teams.
Patient Consensus: Patients appreciate that some hospitals quickly coordinate consultations even during regional strikes. Families of pediatric patients especially value surgeons trained at prestigious international institutions.
Israel's leading neurosurgeons include Professor Zvi Ram, Professor Shlomi Constantini, and Professor Itzhak Fried at Sourasky Medical Center. These experts specialize in awake craniotomy, pediatric brain tumors, and functional mapping. Most hold JCI accreditation and international fellowships from institutions like Johns Hopkins and Yale.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data shows that top-tier Israeli neurosurgeons, such as those at Sourasky Medical Center, often hold dual board certifications in Israel and the US. This unique crossover ensures patients receive American-standard protocols. These specialists typically manage over 34,000 annual operations, providing high-volume clinical experience that smaller private clinics cannot match.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that highly qualified doctors like Professor Shlomo Constantini provide satisfactory answers quickly. People emphasize that outcomes often depend on the hospital’s integrated resources rather than just a doctor's prestige.
Israel is a global leader in neurosurgery, treating complex brain and spinal conditions using robotic-assisted and minimally invasive techniques. Highly specialized units at JCI-accredited centers like Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) and Hadassah Medical Center focus on neuro-oncology, pediatric neurosurgery, and functional procedures.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli neurosurgical departments often function as rapid-response hubs for international patients. Data shows that large centers like Sourasky, which serves 1,800,000 patients annually, can organize expert video consultations in a very short time. This speed is critical for neuro-oncology cases where starting treatment a few days earlier significantly impacts outcomes.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that Israeli teams often accept high-risk cases that other hospitals decline. They emphasize the importance of using local coordinators to manage travel logistics or potential local disruptions during their two-week stay.
International patients traveling to Israel for neurosurgery require a valid passport, an entry permit or medical visa, and a formal hospital invitation. You must provide recent MRI or CT scans in DICOM format and detailed medical summaries. Proof of private health insurance and financial stability are also mandatory for border entry.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Our data shows that top neurosurgeons at Hadassah Medical Center and Sourasky often request records 4–6 weeks before arrival. Submitting these early prevents appointment shifts. High-volume centers with over 30,000 annual operations have dedicated portals for secure DICOM file uploads. Using these ensures your surgeon reviews high-quality images before you land in Tel Aviv.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize bringing physical copies and digital backups of all scans on a USB drive. They also note that private insurance needs pre-authorization specifically for neurosurgery to avoid payment delays at the clinic.