Local foods, food-safety habits, hospital daily life, travel during treatment, the health system, language and emergency numbers from reliable sources.
Hebrew; Arabic has a special status; English and Russian are widely used
Keep a translation of your diagnosis, treatment plan and medication list in this language or in English. Many hospitals offer interpreters — ask in advance.
Health system overview
Treatment is not free for visitors and can be expensive; hospitals require payment. Full travel insurance and access to funds are essential.
Leukemia care: centres
Israel
Well-known centres
Sheba Medical Center (Tel HaShomer), Ramat Gan: Division of Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation
Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem: Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cancer Immunotherapy
Good to know: Both hospitals have international patient services that review medical records and prepare a treatment plan and cost estimate before travel.
Wherever you live, the core rules with low immunity are the same: clean hands, keeping raw and cooked food apart, cooking thoroughly, chilling quickly and choosing pasteurised dairy. At local markets and street stalls, watch how food is stored. Ask your team whether tap water is fine for you; if unsure, use bottled or boiled water.
Hospital daily life
In these countries daily care is usually provided by nurses, meals come from the hospital kitchen and visiting hours are set. If you want to bring food from home, ask the ward first. An interpreter can often be booked in advance.
Travel during treatment
Talk to your care team before planning a trip — timing, blood counts and vaccines.
Carry a doctor’s letter with your diagnosis, treatment plan and medication list (including in English).
Pack medicines in original packaging, in hand luggage, with extra; some medicines have import rules.
Get travel insurance that covers your existing condition and read the terms.
Find the nearest haematology centre and the emergency number at your destination in advance.
Live vaccines can be unsafe during treatment — ask your team before any vaccination.
Ask your team about clot risk on long flights and move around when you can.