Croatian Committee to Convene on Illegal Waste Site; Health Institute Cleared

A parliamentary committee is convening an extraordinary session in Gospić to address a significant case of illegal waste disposal, involving approximately 37,000 tons of waste. The meeting aims to assess potential health and environmental risks, discuss remediation efforts, and determine accountability among relevant institutions.

In parallel, an extraordinary expert review by the Croatian Medical Chamber (HLK) examined the work of doctors at the Public Health Institute of Lika-Senj County concerning the current public health situation. The review concluded that there were no objections to the professional work of the doctors involved. The institute, within its mandate and available information, had been conducting epidemiological and health-ecological risk assessments, analyzing data, conducting field surveys, and initiating laboratory tests. These activities were coordinated with national health authorities and local governments.

The HLK's findings emphasized that public health institutes monitor water quality and assess environmental factors' impact on health, while other bodies are responsible for soil monitoring. The commission provided recommendations for strengthening the public health system in the region, including hiring an epidemiologist specializing in environmental health and seeking county financial support due to low interest from doctors. They also stressed the importance of continued direct communication with citizens, especially during times of public concern over environmental risks, and proposed inter-county coordination for emergency public health situations.