Croatian Hospital Debt Near €800 Million as Government Approves New Funding

Hospital and health‑care facilities in Croatia face a combined debt of almost €800 million, driven mainly by unpaid bills to drug wholesalers and medical‑material suppliers. The government has approved an additional €125.7 million from the state budget to help cover these liabilities, bringing the total of recent fiscal interventions to €304.6 million.

According to the Croatian Wholesale Trade Association for pharmaceutical and orthopedic products, the debt rose from €648 million at the end of 2023 to €763 million by the end of June 2024 – a 22 % increase in six months. The surge includes roughly €27 million owed by health centres and emergency medical units. Despite the new allocation, officials have offered no further promises of a long‑term solution.

The funding is intended to settle overdue obligations to drug wholesalers and to maintain the supply of medicines and medical supplies, but critics note that the debt continues to grow despite repeated government interventions.