May 6, 2019, Split. It is less than three months since leading Croatian clinic, Bagatin, opened its doors in Split. Already one of the most successful clinics in Croatia with its two locations in Zagreb, and with a host of international awards and recognitions – including the best dermatology clinic in all Europe – the opening of Bagatin Clinic within the luxury Hotel Dioklecijan has not only made its services much more accessible to patients in Dalmatia, but it is also an important step in meeting the health tourism needs of the increasing numbers of tourists coming to and through Split.
With health care costs in Croatia a fraction of the price in Western Europe, but with clinics such as Bagatin offering world-class care with the very latest equipment, the potential to have a holiday paid for by the savings in medical care is proving increasingly attractive.
TCN caught up with Katarina Kalebic, who runs Bagatin Clinic in Split, to find out how it was all going.
1. Bagatin Clinic is one of the leading clinics in Croatia and opened a couple of months ago down in Split. First of all, how is it going?
The citizens of Split and surrounding area couldnʼt wait for the opening of Bagatin Clinic in Split. We have lots of clients from Dalmatia that used to take treatments in our Clinic in Zagreb. We have fulfilled their wishes and opened our Bagatin Clinic in the heart of Dalmatia, in Split. We have only been open for three months but I am proud to say itʼs going very well. We are looking forward to having many new clients from Dalmatia, the islands and all over the world.
2. Tell us a little about the services you are offering in Split.
We offer anti-ageing treatments like PRP rejuvenation therapy, dermal fillers, mesotherapy and some surgeries like eyelid and ear correction surgery. Also we offer professional face treatments using Reviderm dermatocosmetis with accomplished technology. Our dental department offers all in one place, from diagnostics like CT scan to implantology, prosthetics and aesthetic dentistry. Our body shaping department is famous for using the latest technology. An individual approach and measurable results are the key to our long business and huge number of happy clients who recommend us to their friends and family.
3. Croatia’s medical tourism business is largely centred on Istria, Kvarner and Zagreb at the moment, with Split and Central Dalmatia still relatively unknown. Tell us a little about the market and the potential.
In the last few years, medical tourism has been growing in Dalmatia thanks to good airport connections almost all year. Our location is very interesting for central and northern Italy because of the ferry connection with Ancona. For now, most medical tourists come for dental work because it is affordable and clinics have invested in the latest technology to deliver the best quality. Everyone speaks English but Italian and German are also very important because many clients come from those two countries. Our market might be new but I believe we will be recognized for quality and that individual approach.
4. Bagatin has a great relationship with Double Tree Hilton in Zagreb, and you are also housed in a rather special place in Split, which makes accommodation a nice extension of your services. Tell us more about the building you are located in?
We are located close to the city centre in ‘Splitska kuca zdravlja’, which is a complex designed for tourist and healthcare purposes. We have a great relationship with Hotel Dioklecijan and other clinics in it. Patients can find everything they need to combine health services and unforgettable holiday. Can you imagine yourself enjoying in the pool under the open sky with a panoramic view of Split after treatment in our clinic? This is actually possible at our location and makes our patients’ experience unique.
5. Split and the surrounding area is becoming one of the top destinations in Croatia, which more than 3 million passengers expected through the airport alone. Tourists may not immediately think of health tourism when planning their Croatian vacation, but the savings do add up. Can you give us some examples for UK visitors, for example, where some of your services can give them savings which could actually pay their holiday?
If you compare prices for dental implants or crowns in the UK and in our Bagatin clinic you can save lots of money. The price of dental implants can be three times more expensive. For example, one implant with abutment and crown costs £750 while in the UK the cost for is from £2000 to £2500. So you are actually saving money by being on holiday!. You can treat yourself with anti-ageing treatments and relax in a high-quality hotel for the difference in money. I suggest that tourists look over health insurance because some private insurances refund some costs for dental work.
6. How do you see the health tourism industry in Split developing in the next five years?
I believe we will be recognized for quality service and individual approach to every client. Split is already famous for dentistry, medical surgery, orthopaedics, ophthalmology, gynaecology and otorhinolaryngology. Pre and post season are very interesting because our patients can combine their vacation while taking care of their health issues. Split has the capacity to work 365 days a year. We are at the disposal of our clients whenever they need us.
7. You are obviously just starting out, but where would you expect the main foreign markets to come from?
The main foreign markets for us are Germany, Austria, Italy and the UK. We have very good flight connections with these countries most of the year. In the last few years, Croatia has become very popular for UK citizens and the number of UK tourists is increasing every year.
8. Holiday time is sadly very limited. How does it work in practice if someone is considering having procedures done? I am guessing that just walking in off the street and looking for an immediate appointment is not the best approach.
It depends on what procedure the client is thinking of. At Bagatin Clinic we take a lot of care about consultation because we want to be sure that our clients’ expectations and results will bring happiness to our patients’ faces. That is why we use the Vectra to show the patient the almost real result at the end of the procedure. Some procedures can be easily done during a coffee break so I invite all who read this article to find out more about procedures they want to make. We will be happy to answer all your questions and make your wishes come true.
To learn more about Bagatin Clinic in Split, click here.
To follow the latest in the Croatian medical tourism story, follow the dedicated TCN section.
