Croatian hospitals face patient surges and staffing shortages

Healthcare facilities in Croatia are facing significant pressure due to seasonal tourism and chronic staffing shortages. In Zadar, the General Hospital reported that over 27,000 patients were treated across its emergency departments during the three summer months, including 5,360 pediatric cases. August alone saw 8,176 patients at the unified emergency intake, an increase compared to the previous year.

Similarly, the General Hospital Dubrovnik is struggling with a severe deficit of medical personnel. The facility currently lacks 120 specialist doctors and 60 nurses, with critical shortages noted in anesthesiology, pediatrics, and transfusion medicine. Hospital director Marijo Bekić noted that while the hospital utilizes retired specialists and external collaborators to fill gaps, the shortage is a chronic issue that impacts waiting lists. The increased workload is further exacerbated by heatwaves and a rise in traffic accidents during the tourist season.