# Croatia healthcare infrastructure expansion > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/balkan-pediatric-care-sees-contrasting-challenges-and-digital-innovation > Updated: 2026-08-03T14:56:14.000Z. Sources: 26. Developments: 13. The rollout of mobile medical units and ambulance fleets continued throughout 2026. A second mobile ambulance was added in Virovitičko‑podravska County, extending coverage to Slatina, while new family‑medicine ambulances began operating in Varaždin and Vukovar‑Srijem, with further units planned for the autumn. The government approved the purchase of 26 additional ambulances for county emergency services and a court ruling confirmed the substitution of Fiat Ducato vans for the originally tendered Renault Masters, allowing the procurement to proceed. Tourist health services reached a record level: 62 tourist ambulances were deployed for the summer season across 11 counties, with stations in Poreč, Pula and other coastal locations handling hundreds of visits each month. Minister Irena Hrstić highlighted the programme during visits to the Istrian stations and stressed its role in relieving regular GP practices and hospital emergency departments. Parallel challenges emerged. May‑June reports revealed acute pediatrician shortages in Bjelovar and Sinj, prompting local mayors to demand additional staff and, in Sinj’s case, a new general hospital. To improve access, Poliklinika Salvea launched a pediatric‑care app offering online scheduling, video consultations and AI‑assisted triage, aimed at families outside Zagreb. Staffing gaps also affected cleaning personnel, with vacancies leading to increased outsourcing despite recent wage rises. The minister reassured the public about a rise in impetigo cases, emphasizing hygiene and clean seawater. Hospital upgrades progressed: five new linear accelerators were installed, a PET/CT scanner for KBC Zagreb is slated for installation by year‑end, and a new radio‑isotope digestor, CT replacement and MRI system were announced for Pula Hospital during the peak tourist period. The seven‑year €62.5 million helicopter‑maritime contract with an Italian firm remains a cornerstone of the emergency response system. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-03: Health Minister Irena Hrstić inspects Pula Hospital operations during tourist season Health Minister Irena Hrstić inspected Pula Hospital, noting rising emergency demand, over 5,800 July patients, 5,600+ helicopter/boat interventions, and new equipment funding. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/health-minister-irena-hrsti-inspects-pula-hospital-operations-during-tourist-season ### 2026-07-20: Croatia's Health Minister Irena Hrstić outlines cleaning staff shortages, impetigo concerns and new PET/CT rollout Croatia's health minister Irena Hrstić flagged cleaning‑staff shortages, downplayed impetigo cases, announced new PET/CT equipment and a €62.5 million helicopter service contract. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatian-health-minister-irena-hrsti-downplays-adriatic-impetigo-surge ### 2026-07-10: Croatian Health Minister Irena Hrstić Highlights Tourist Ambulance Rollout in Istria Croatia’s health minister toured new tourist ambulances in Istria, part of a €5.3 million EU‑funded rollout serving hundreds of visitors and easing local clinics. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatian-health-minister-irena-hrsti-highlights-tourist-ambulance-rollout-in-istria ### 2026-07-08: Croatia launches mobile health units in Karlovac and Koprivnica Croatia's regional health authorities introduced mobile units: a mobile ambulance in Đurđevac area to serve remote villages, and four new vehicles for home‑care and physiotherapy teams in Karlovac County. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatia-launches-mobile-health-units-in-karlovac-and-koprivnica ### 2026-07-06: Croatia and Slovenia Expand Rural Medical Access with Mobile Units Croatia launches a mobile ambulance for primary care in rural Đurđevačko, while Slovenia's Laško and Radeče health centres begin daily emergency ambulance service in Radeče, improving response times. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatia-and-slovenia-expand-rural-medical-access-with-mobile-units ### 2026-07-04: Croatia launches record 62 tourist ambulances for summer visitors Croatia opened a record 62 tourist ambulances across 11 counties for the 2026 summer, funded with €620,000 to ease local health services for domestic and EU tourists. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatia-expands-tourist-medical-clinics-to-record-62-locations ### 2026-06-19: Croatian Court Upholds Switch to Fiat Ambulances Croatia's High Administrative Court ruled the emergency service's switch from Renault to Fiat ambulances is permissible, allowing the contract to stand. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatian-court-upholds-switch-to-fiat-ambulances ### 2026-06-16: Croatia Approves 26 New Ambulances and Tightens Vehicle First‑Aid Kit Rules Croatia approved a €4.1 million purchase of 26 ambulances and funding for a children's hospital project, while also enforcing a law mandating detailed first‑aid kits in vehicles, punishable by a €30 fine. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatia-approves-26-new-ambulances-and-tightens-vehicle-firstaid-kit-rules ### 2026-06-01: Croatia expands mobile family‑medicine ambulances to rural Varaždin and Vukovar‑Srijem Croatia has launched a mobile family‑medicine ambulance in Varaždin and plans three more in Vukovar‑Srijem to improve rural primary care. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatia-expands-mobile-familymedicine-ambulances-to-rural-varadin-and-vukovarsrijem ### 2026-05-26: Croatia deploys second mobile ambulance in Virovitičko‑podravska County Croatia's VPŽ health centre received a second mobile ambulance on 26 May, expanding rural care to Slatina under a €5.3 million national program. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatia-deploys-second-mobile-ambulance-in-virovitikopodravska-county ### 2026-05-25: Sinj mayor demands new general hospital as health services deteriorate Sinj mayor Miro Bulj urged Croatia’s health ministry to restore full lab hours, address pediatric staff shortages and build a general hospital, warning residents now must travel to Split for basic care. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sinj-mayor-demands-new-general-hospital-as-health-services-deteriorate ### 2026-05-13: Bjelovar mayor warns of pediatrician shortage threatening hospital services Bjelovar mayor urges urgent meeting with county governor over acute pediatrician shortage threatening the hospital’s pediatric and gynecology services. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bjelovar-mayor-warns-of-pediatrician-shortage-threatening-hospital-services ### 2026-05-08: Poliklinika Salvea launches pediatric care app for parents in Croatia Poliklinika Salvea's new app offers parents online booking, digital records and AI assistance for pediatric care across Croatia. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/poliklinika-salvea-launches-pediatric-care-app-for-parents-in-croatia --- Cite as: Croatia healthcare infrastructure expansion. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/balkan-pediatric-care-sees-contrasting-challenges-and-digital-innovation