ZAGREB, April 3, 2019 – Finance Minister Zdravko Marić on Wednesday recommended the introduction of cost-saving measures in the public healthcare system that was faced with a high debt exceeding seven billion kuna.
“Debts in the healthcare system have been accrued for years. We are the first government to have managed to cut the healthcare debts without raising the public debt. Nevertheless, the debts are still at high levels and exceed seven billion kuna, concerning (the debts of) the Croatian Health Insurance Agency (HZZO) and the public healthcare institutions,” Marić told reporters outside Government House.
He dismissed media speculations that the debt in that sector was the cause for his dissension with Health Minister Milan Kujundžić.
Marić insists that he has a good relationship and communication with Kujundžić, however, he explained they could not have the identical opinion on everything.
In terms of the revenue side in the healthcare system, a lot has been done, however, it cannot solve all problems, and cost-saving is necessary, Marić said noting that there is room for belt-tightening.
Certain cost-saving can be performed through the optimisation of conditions for work (of hospitals), he said.
Marić recalled that in 2017 the government redirected 1.5 billion kuna to the healthcare system without a rise in the public debt. Also, during 2018, some 500 million kuna was redirected to the healthcare system for the purpose of debt reduction, he added, announcing some more funds for that purpose in 2019.
More healthcare news can be found in the Lifestyle section.
