Croatian Ministry of Health imposes new spending limits on hospitals

The Croatian Ministry of Health has introduced new criteria for hospitals regarding medication consumption and overtime pay. These measures aim to promote more rational financial management and control the growth of debts to wholesalers.

Under the new rules, hospitals must operate within monthly limits for medicines and medical supplies. Any spending exceeding these thresholds requires a written explanation and formal approval from the Ministry. For example, the General Hospital Dubrovnik has seen its monthly limit for medications and medical supplies set at 1.4 million euros, representing a reduction of approximately 500,000 euros compared to previous levels. This move follows reports of the hospital's 13.7 million euro debt to wholesalers.

Hospital directors in Pula and Vinkovci have expressed confidence in the new system. The director of the Pula hospital stated that patients will not feel the impact due to improved monitoring, while the director of the Vinkovci hospital noted that their 650,000 euro monthly limit has been sufficient for the past three months. The Ministry of Health has stated that these limits are based on the median consumption of each facility over the last 12 months.