Croatia Lacking 4,300 Doctors

The Dean of the Medical Faculty of the University of Zagreb has warned the public and relevant political bodies that according to the latest data from the Croatian Medical Association, Croatia has a shortage of 4,300 doctors.

Davor Milicic urged that the problem be resolved, saying that an increase in the enrollment quotas to study medicine should be one of the strategic priorities of Croatia’s health policy. Milicic is concerned also that with Croatia’s likely EU entry later this year, that a wave of emigration will follow as doctors move to more developed European nations where they can command much higher salaries.

In Croatia currently there are 2.5 doctors to every 1,000 citizens, whilst the average in EU countries is 3.6 doctors to every 1,000.