Zabok cancer center patients face high accommodation costs

Patients traveling to the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center in Zabok for radiotherapy are facing significant financial burdens due to a lack of covered accommodation. While the Croatian Health Insurance Fund (HZZO) covers transportation costs for patients traveling more than 50 kilometers, it does not provide for lodging.

One retired patient from Zadar reported having to rent a hotel room for her treatment, an expense that would consume her entire pension. The patient noted she received no prior information regarding the necessity of arranging her own stay, and was unable to return home due to a lack of public transport and unavailable taxis.

Data indicates this is a widespread issue. In 2024, the Zabok center treated over 1,100 patients via HZZO referrals, including 124 from Dalmatia and dozens from Slavonia, Rijeka, and Istria. Because the center does not have contracted bed capacities or a day hospital, patients must find their own housing. While some non-governmental organizations in cities like Zagreb and Rijeka offer free accommodation, many patients, particularly those with low incomes, struggle to afford the costs of treatment in distant regions.