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OECD: Croatia's healthcare system overly focused on hospitals
๐Ÿ‡ญ๐Ÿ‡ท Croatia /Health & Science

OECD: Croatia's healthcare system overly focused on hospitals

From Veฤernji List · () Croatian

Translated from Croatian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Francesca Colombo, head of health at the OECD, stated that Croatia's healthcare system is too focused on hospital care.
  • She noted that while Croatia offers broad access to care, life expectancy is shorter than the OECD average due to lifestyle, education, and other public policies.
  • Colombo urged for stronger primary healthcare, prevention, and patient-centered care, emphasizing the need for better data and flexible, innovative approaches involving all stakeholders.

Francesca Colombo, head of health at the OECD, has urged Croatia to shift its healthcare focus from hospitals to primary care and prevention. Speaking at the 4th HealthComm Forum, she highlighted that despite broad access and public funding, Croatia's life expectancy lags behind the OECD average. This disparity, she explained, is linked to lifestyle factors like smoking, alcohol consumption, and obesity, as well as education and broader public policies.

Smoking, alcohol consumption and obesity are among the biggest preventable health challenges in Croatia. Prevention and health literacy must become more important priorities.

โ€” Francesca ColomboColombo discussed preventable health challenges in Croatia.

Colombo pointed out that Croatia faces high rates of cancer incidence and mortality, underscoring the need for improved prevention, early detection, and treatment. She specifically criticized the system's overemphasis on hospital care, advocating for a future centered on robust primary healthcare, preventative measures, and care closer to the patient. The OECD official also noted the dual challenge of an aging population and emigration, which simultaneously increase healthcare demands while reducing the contributor base.

Our healthcare system is too focused on hospital care. The future must be in stronger primary healthcare, prevention and care closer to the patient.

โ€” Francesca ColomboColombo advocated for a shift in healthcare focus.

Addressing data gaps, Colombo stressed that while Croatia lacks some data for a full assessment, international experience shows how quality data can inform effective policies. However, she cautioned that data alone is insufficient. "Complex problems cannot be solved if everyone looks only at their own interests," Colombo stated, calling for a more flexible, open, and innovation-ready system. She emphasized that achieving common goals requires stakeholders to re-evaluate existing work models and clearly define their contributions to systemic change.

Aging populations and emigration simultaneously increase the need for healthcare and reduce the number of citizens financing the system.

โ€” Francesca ColomboColombo highlighted demographic challenges affecting healthcare funding.
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Originally published by Veฤernji List in Croatian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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