A new Croatian government programme to support young doctors entering the public healthcare system has officially come into force.
The programme aims to strengthen primary healthcare and give young doctors better support at the start of their careers, while also creating a clearer path towards specialist training.
Healthcare workers are the key strength of the health system, which is why their retention, professional development and more equitable availability are among the priorities of the Ministry of Health. We place particular emphasis on young doctors at the beginning of their professional journey, for whom it is important to ensure quality working conditions, professional support and clear opportunities for further development
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sc. Irena Hrstić, Minister of Health (Croatia)
The programme is intended for medical doctors who completed their studies after July 1, 2023, have approval from the competent chamber to practise independently, and are not currently undergoing specialist training.
Participation in the programme is voluntary, and the measures are implemented in selected workplaces in family medicine, emergency medicine and public health, including contractual healthcare institutions such as health centres, emergency medical institutes, county public health institutes or the City of Zagreb’s public health institute, as well as the Croatian Institute of Public Health.
The programme provides young doctors with professional and organisational support through counselling, expert discussions on clinical cases from practice, workshops introducing them to business processes and health system regulations, and the opportunity to undertake additional professional training. The measures can be provided to an individual medical doctor for a maximum of 12 months.
“The government has allocated billions of euros to the modernisation of healthcare, but the most valuable investment remains in people — in doctors and healthcare workers who keep the healthcare system running every day. With this programme, we are sending a message to young doctors: Croatia needs your knowledge, your work and your future, and the Ministry of Health is your partner on this journey,” emphasized Minister Hrstić.
As part of the comprehensive framework for strengthening the healthcare system, the Programme builds on the National Plan for Specialist Training 2025–2029, which provides for 3,714 specialist training positions for medical doctors, including 600 in family medicine.
