# Croatian healthcare scrutiny and death of Vedrana Rudan > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/croatian-healthcare-system-scrutiny > Updated: 2026-08-21T05:49:33.000Z. Sources: 60. Developments: 5. In late July 2026, Croatian author Vedrana Rudan used a personal column to spotlight harsh working conditions for nurses in a public oncology department, describing 24‑hour rotating shifts and low salaries. Her piece framed the situation as a systemic failure. A few days later, Rudan’s own battle with cholangiocarcinoma highlighted another systemic problem: the refusal of the national health insurer to fund a critical diagnostic PET/CT scan required for her radiotherapy plan. The court ruled against her, underscoring a gap between contracted treatment services and the unpaid diagnostics needed to deliver them. In August 2026, Vedrana Rudan passed away at the age of 77 following her battle with aggressive bile duct cancer. Her death was announced via social media with the symbolic message, ‘Vedrana has gone to the area without signal,’ a phrase she had previously used to describe her own passing. In her final months, she remained communicative through her blog, discussing her illness, mortality, and the healthcare system. Rudan was a prominent journalist and activist known for her provocative writing on politics, feminism, and social norms. Her literary career included sixteen books, such as ‘Uho, grlo, nož,’ which gained regional success. Her passing drew tributes from regional figures, including writer Miljenko Jergović, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, who noted her courage to speak without fear, and Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Ivica Dačić, who remarked that she was a writer whom ‘no one could read with indifference.’ Singer Severina also shared a tribute, recalling Rudan’s resilience and directness during her illness. Following her death, social media controversy emerged when Iva Alilović, wife of handball player Mirko Alilović, declined to offer condolences. Alilović criticized Rudan, describing her as a ‘deeply unhappy woman who acted out a role on the outside’ and labeling her a ‘fool.’ ## Claims - Vedrana Rudan has passed away. (corroborated by 5 sources) - Rudan described her death as going to a 'zone without signal'. (corroborated by 5 sources) - Rudan suffered from a rare form of bile duct cancer. (corroborated by 5 sources) - Rudan was born on October 29, 1949, in Opatija. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Only 5 percent of patients with her condition are eligible for surgery. (corroborated by 2 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-21: Vedrana Rudan passes away amid social media controversy Following the death of Croatian writer Vedrana Rudan, Iva Alilović sparked controversy by posting critical social media comments regarding the author's character and her relationship with Croatia. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vedrana-rudan-passes-away-amid-social-media-controversy ### 2026-08-19: Vedrana Rudan, prominent Croatian writer and columnist, dies at 77 Renowned Croatian writer and columnist Vedrana Rudan has died at 77 after a battle with cancer. Her family will hold a private funeral per her final wishes. 15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vedrana-rudan-provocative-writings-resurface-after-death-of-croatian-columnist ### 2026-08-16: Vedrana Rudan, prominent Croatian writer and journalist, dies at 77 Renowned Croatian writer and journalist Vedrana Rudan has died at 77 after a battle with bile duct cancer. She was celebrated for her provocative and fearless social and political commentary. 48 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vedrana-rudan-prominent-croatian-writer-and-journalist-passes-away ### 2026-07-31: Vedrana Rudan loses court fight over diagnostic funding for cancer treatment in Croatia Writer Vedrana Rudan lost a lawsuit against Croatia’s health insurer, which paid for her radiotherapy but refused to fund the €3,000 diagnostic scan needed for treatment, exposing gaps in public cancer care. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vedrana-rudan-loses-court-fight-over-diagnostic-funding-for-cancer-treatment-in-croatia ### 2026-07-27: Croatian writer Vedrana Rudan denounces nurse overwork and low pay while battling cancer Vedrana Rudan, battling cancer, condemns 24‑hour nurse shifts and low pay in Croatia, citing a doctor’s desperate attempt to lift staff morale. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatian-writer-vedrana-rudan-denounces-nurse-overwork-and-low-pay-while-battling-cancer --- Cite as: Croatian healthcare scrutiny and death of Vedrana Rudan. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/croatian-healthcare-system-scrutiny