Supetar emergency medical station incident sparks healthcare concerns

A 38-year-old mother of three, Andrea Barhanović, remains in intensive care at KBC Split after collapsing in front of a locked emergency medical station in Supetar on the island of Brač. The incident occurred during the night between September 5 and 6 when Barhanović sought help for heart issues but found the facility doors locked and no staff present.

Her brother, Dinko Barhanović, and local residents attempted to resuscitate her on the concrete outside until a medical team, returning from another intervention, arrived approximately eight minutes later. Barhanović was subsequently transported to Split by helicopter.

Supetar Mayor Ivana Marković has called for an urgent meeting with the Ministry of Health and regional authorities, citing the incident as evidence of a systemic failure in island healthcare. Marković highlighted that Brač relies on only two emergency teams, one of which includes a doctor, which she argues is insufficient for a population that swells significantly during the tourist season. The mayor noted that this is not an isolated event, referencing a previous tragedy in March 2025 involving a youth from Lastovo, and demanded improved medical equipment and consistent 24-hour availability of emergency services for Croatian islands.