By Croatia’s most ambitious healthcare infrastructure project, the construction of a state-of-the-art hospital at Srebrnjak, has hit a significant roadblock. While the plans were hailed as a major leap for the country’s healthcare system, the project now risks stalling entirely.
The Delays, the Blame, and the Threatened Funds
The hospital project, which was signed more than six years ago, is still far from being realized. Construction on the Children’s Centre for Translational Medicine at Srebrnjak Children’s Hospital remains stalled, with the construction site eerily empty. The original plans called for a sprawling 15,000-square-meter modern facility, but progress has been dismally slow.
The issue is not just about delays, but also the potential fallout from the European Union, which provided the €60 million funding for the project. Failure to complete the hospital would not only represent a healthcare failure but also a financial disaster. Croatia could be forced to return those funds.
Mayor Tomislav Tomašević has placed the blame squarely on the previous government, stating that only a meager 0.01 percent of the funds were spent over 23 months. If no significant progress is made soon, Croatia risks returning the bulk of the allocated funds to the EU.
A Ray of Hope or More Bureaucratic Delays?
Despite the grim outlook, there is still a chance to save the Srebrnjak project. The hospital submitted a request for project phasing, a mechanism that would allow them to extend the project’s timeline and potentially secure additional EU funds through 2027.
The Ministry of Science and Education, however, expressed reservations. They cited new construction challenges and a lack of the required documentation from the City of Zagreb. Specifically, rising construction costs have thrown a wrench into the original designs, necessitating a complete redesign before the project can proceed.
The ministry’s response has been seen as noncommittal, and the hospital’s future remains clouded with uncertainty. While the hospital works on preparing the updated documentation, it is still unclear whether they can secure the necessary funding or even continue according to the original plan.
Frustration Mounts: Former Director Speaks Out
Perhaps the most frustrated voice in this entire saga is that of Boro Nogalo, the former director of Srebrnjak Children’s Hospital. Having championed the project from the beginning, Nogalo is now watching from the sidelines as Croatia’s largest healthcare venture seems to be slipping away.
Nogalo, who was stripped of his role over a year ago, has expressed deep frustration at the situation. “We were forbidden to meet before the decision on phasing,” he said, clearly exasperated by the bureaucratic obstacles in place.
His appeal is simple yet powerful: the project is “alive and kicking,” and Croatia’s children deserve to see it come to life. Nogalo’s call to action is directed at the Croatian government, the City of Zagreb, and the hospital administration, urging them to “actually start doing something.”