Croatia primary healthcare sees nearly one million more visits than last year

Primary healthcare providers in Croatia are experiencing a significant surge in patient visits. Data from the Croatian Health Insurance Fund (HZZO) reveals that in the first three months of this year, there were 16.33 million visits to primary care offices, representing an increase of 992,000 visits compared to the same period last year.

This upward trend is visible across various medical sectors, including family medicine, dentistry, and gynecology. Notably, preventive programs for children and youth have seen a 20 percent increase in visits. Medical professionals report heightened pressure, citing not only the volume of patients but also an influx of digital communications such as emails and phone calls from patients seeking multiple opinions or non-urgent consultations.

In addition to the rise in visits, the number of fulfilled prescriptions has also increased, with 1.1 million more prescriptions issued this year than last. Research conducted in Zagreb health centers between 2019 and 2025 further indicates a long-term increase in workload for physicians.