Novalja offers 2,000 euro monthly bonus to recruit pediatrician

The town of Novalja on the island of Pag is offering a monthly net bonus of 2,000 euros to attract a new pediatrician. This measure follows the departure of the town's only available pediatrician to Zagreb shortly after she completed her specialization.

Local authorities previously invested 85,000 euros in the former specialist's training. However, changes to the Health Care Act removed high financial penalties for doctors who leave their institutions after completing specialization, making it easier for specialists to relocate to larger cities.

Novalja Mayor Ivan Dabo noted that the proposed 2,000 euro net bonus will result in an additional monthly cost of approximately 3,400 euros for the local community. The issue was discussed during the 3rd Congress on Healthcare in Rural and Island Regions.

Health Minister Hrstić indicated that the pediatric specialization program, which currently lasts seven years in total, will soon be revised following requests from the Croatian Pediatric Society to address the lengthy training period as a deterrent for professionals.