ZAGREB, Dec 13 (Hina) - Croatian Health Minister Andro Vlahusic on Thursday dismissed claims by the director of the Croatian Health Insurance Institute, Zdravko Loncarec, that cuts in health funds and a deficit of 4.3 billion kuna
will next year cause a lack of drugs, lower quality of health care and lower salaries in the health care system. Although we expect problems in the health system, the government will fulfil its legal obligations, Vlahusic said, adding there would be enough funds for salaries and medicines and that there were alternative sources of funding. Vlahusic told reporters the state had invested great efforts into paying wholesale drug-stores a debt for medicines by giving them 750 million kuna worth of shares in the pharmaceutical company Pliva. Another debt, amounting to 450 million kuna, will be paid soon as well, Vlahusic said, adding the government had reduced customs
ZAGREB, Dec 13 (Hina) - Croatian Health Minister Andro Vlahusic on
Thursday dismissed claims by the director of the Croatian Health
Insurance Institute, Zdravko Loncarec, that cuts in health funds
and a deficit of 4.3 billion kuna will next year cause a lack of
drugs, lower quality of health care and lower salaries in the health
care system.
Although we expect problems in the health system, the government
will fulfil its legal obligations, Vlahusic said, adding there
would be enough funds for salaries and medicines and that there were
alternative sources of funding.
Vlahusic told reporters the state had invested great efforts into
paying wholesale drug-stores a debt for medicines by giving them
750 million kuna worth of shares in the pharmaceutical company
Pliva. Another debt, amounting to 450 million kuna, will be paid
soon as well, Vlahusic said, adding the government had reduced
customs duties and margins on medicines.
The health minister said the basic collective agreement for public
services would be signed today, ensuring social peace and
guaranteed salaries for medical workers.
Vlahusic said next year would see the restructuring of the hospital
sector, job systematisation, and a health reform.
(hina) rml