The new regulation on doctors’ supplemental work introduces stricter criteria for parallel work in the public and private sectors, aiming to reduce waiting lists in public healthcare. A key criterion for issuing supplemental work permits will be the length of the waiting list at the primary institution, with permits denied if waiting exceeds 90 days. The regulation also mandates annual renewal of permits and additional oversight mechanisms for doctors. While some experts and associations support these measures as steps toward greater transparency and control, the Croatian Medical Chamber expresses concerns that the regulation will not reduce waiting lists. Data shows that the private sector’s share of the healthcare budget is relatively small, and most citizens use public healthcare. This regulation is part of a broader strategy to improve the efficiency and quality of healthcare services in Croatia.
Political Perspectives:
Left: The left-leaning perspective emphasizes the need for stricter regulations to ensure fairness and reduce waiting times in public healthcare. It supports transparency and accountability in doctors’ supplemental work, viewing the regulation as a positive step towards protecting public health services from privatization and ensuring equitable access for all citizens.
Center: The centrist perspective focuses on the balance between public and private healthcare sectors, acknowledging the need for clear rules to manage supplemental work by doctors. It highlights the importance of reducing waiting lists and improving healthcare efficiency, while also considering the practical challenges of implementation and the concerns raised by medical professionals.
Right: The right-leaning perspective may emphasize the importance of private sector involvement and caution against overregulation that could limit doctors’ freedom to work privately. It might question whether the new rules will effectively reduce waiting times or simply add bureaucratic hurdles, stressing the need for market-driven solutions and efficiency in healthcare delivery.
