The Round Table titled “Blood count of healthcare System” that took place on Feb. 6, in the  packed with audience  premises of Novinarski Dom (Journalist' association) in Zagreb, was the first in the row of six planned round tables to discuss  the current situation in Croatian Healthcare system. The event was organized by the journal Banka, and the Economic Institute in Zagreb, sponsored by the Ministry of Healthcare of Croatia, with their major partner in the project, the company Ericsson Nikola Tesla.

As expected, the presentation by DSc Rajko Ostojića, the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Croatia, attracted the most attention. He gave a survey of the current situation in the Croatian healthcare and the guidelines for the period to come. Among numerous financial indictors  from  the speech, here is to point out the current deficit in the healthcare system amounting to HRK 5.2 billion, and the compulsory budget contribution rate decrease from 15 to 13 per cent that is to be in function of the relief for economy, and the incentive for new workplaces. The ideas emphasized by the minister were confirmed in presentations given by DSc Sandra Švaljek, the head of the Economic Institute and DSc. Dubravko Mihaljek, the analyst of the Bank for International Settlements, as well as by discussions from the audience.  It all specified the firm cause-effect relation between the economy and healthcare.

The healthcare system is among the major consumer of budget funds and can considerably jeopardize the sustainability of the public finances. Simultaneously, a healthy man can influence the productivity the best, and cause its growth, and therefore the healthcare is among the most important economic categories of the nation.

As the minister Ostojić believes, the solution of the present issues lies in the consistent implementation of priorities that were published still during the pre-election campaign. It is also in the gradual evolution of offerings in healthcare and its coordination with needs in the 21st century. Just in this process, it is expected even greater contribution by the ICT sector. This means, one shall not be surprised to see a computer mouse as another doctor's symbol along with a stethoscope, we are already used to.

Along with several medical professionals, and representatives of associations, MSc Gordana Kovačević, the president of Ericsson Nikola Tesla, also addressed the audience, in the name of the company partner. After a short presentation, she announced the next round table in March that will be focused to the ICT influence to improvement of healthcare and the u society as a whole.

Ericsson Nikole Tesle, Company Communications