Croatian healthcare guide
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CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT
Phone: + 385 1 4882 428
Fax: + 385 1 4828 064
E-mail: info@mojdoktor.hr
Important telephone numbers
- International country code for Croatia: 385
- Emergency and Ambulance: 94
- Fire Department: 93
- Police: 92
- Roadside vehicle assistance: 987
- National Search and Rescue Center: 9155
- A single country number for all emergency situations: 112
- General information: 981
- Information for local and intercity telephone numbers: 988
- Information for international numbers: 902
- Weather forecast and road conditions: 060 520 520
- Croatian Automobile Club (HAK): +385 1 4640 800
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The standard of healthcare in the republic of Croatia is generally on a par with that in many European countries.
All visiting foreigners are entitled to free basic emergency first aid at state hospitals. Some EU countries such as the UK are signatory to agreements which entitle their citizens to free medical treatment while visiting Croatia. Form E111 is required when seeking treatment.
There are no particular risks or health concerns associated with living in or visiting Croatia.
There are hospitals in all major cities and there are first aid clinics and pharmacies located throughout the country
No special immunizations are required for travel in Croatia.
Note: Persons with chronic medical conditions requiring prescription medication should keep a one to three month supply on hand. Prescriptions can be expensive to fill in Croatia, and not all medications are readily available.
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The State Healthcare System
The Croatian health system has fared relatively well among the countries in the region: the system has a well-trained health workforce, a well-established system of public health programs and health delivery system, and good health outcomes in relation to countries at comparable income levels.
Croatia has statutory professional chambers for physicians, dentists, pharmacists, biochemists and nurses that were established by the relevant faculties and professional associations. All university-educated health professionals and nurses are members of a chamber. The chambers in turn are responsible for professional registration and maintenance of professional standards. The chambers also express professional opinions on a variety of issues and advice on licensing of private practice and on opening and closing of health institutions. The regulation of standards in health care institutions is the responsibility of the Ministry of Health. Standards are set out in health care-related legislation. Teams of health inspectors visit health institutions if there are organizational or professional failures. Licensing of professionals is the responsibility of the professional chambers.
Emergency medical care is organized at the country level, and in different ways: additional work of doctors already operating in a certain area; individual services established by health centers for a certain area; and centers for emergency medical care, such as those operating in the four major cities – Zagreb, Split, Rijeka and Osijek. Except for medical care, emergency services are also used for transportation.
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Doctors
Patients are free to register with the doctor of their choice. GP’s operate like private doctors within the Croatian healthcare system and they often ask for cash up front before giving treatment. There is a growing trend towards private practice including private nursing and diagnostic facilities and privately owned pharmacies.
There is a strict process for doctors wishing to obtain a license for private practice from the Ministry of Health. They must prove they have a minimum number of registered patients and must provide a minimum range of healthcare services.
General practice and family medicine are taught during basic undergraduate medical education in Croatia. Since the mid-1990s continuing medical education (CME) activities have been rapidly expanding owing to the compulsory relicensing process. It is essentially based on a collection of CME credit points over a period of six years. In 2000, over 600 GPs participated in different CME courses organized by the European Academy of Teachers in General Practice (EURACT, 2001).
Doctors can contract directly with employers.
Patients need a referral from a doctor in order to see a specialist.
Health Centers
Every municipality has a health centre plus a network of primary health
care units. Health centers give general care to the whole of the municipalities’ population, gynecology and dental care. In addition, they are bound to provide people with emergency treatment, diagnostic services and health education. Remote rural health centers also offer specialist outpatient care, which is supervised by a hospital. Some also provide maternity and short-term inpatient facilities.
Hospitals
Hospitals are located in all major cities and towns. They are mainly financed through contracts with the Croatian Health Insurance Institute. Hospitals are categorized into general and specialist hospitals. Both types of hospital have outpatient facilities.
General hospitals provide care and treatment for obstetrics and gynecology, internal medicine, surgery and inpatient care for children.
Specialist hospitals provide treatment and inpatient care for specific disease and chronic illness.
Polyclinics
Polyclinics provide specialist consultations, diagnostic and rehabilitation services. They are linked to general hospitals. Private polyclinics are growing. Patients need a doctor’s referral to the polyclinic.
Pharmacies
Most pharmacies are privately owned. The growth of the private sector has lead to improvements in making drugs more accessible. They supply both prescription and over-the-counter medicines.
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