Emergency Medical Services in Vukovar-Srijem County Reaches Full Capacity
In the past year and a half, 14 new doctors have been hired, six of them in the last six months, and the full capacity of 25 doctors will soon be reached.
In the past year and a half, 14 new doctors have been hired, six of them in the last six months, and the full capacity of 25 doctors will soon be reached.
While most of Croatia faces a chronic shortage of doctors, the Emergency Medicine Institute of Vukovar-Srijem County has managed to hire 14 new doctors in a year and a half, confirmed the institute's director, Mladen Karlić. Of that number, six doctors arrived in the last six months, bringing the institution close to its full capacity.
The institute's full capacity, in terms of the number of doctors, is 25. Karlić notes that this number will soon be reached, as a job competition for one more doctor has been opened, with four to five applications received. "With that number of doctors, we will be at full capacity for some time," Karlić said for Press032.
In addition to permanently employed staff, the institute has contracts with about 30 external associates who are used for on-call duties when needed. In total, the institution employs 210 people, and the director confirms that they currently have a sufficient number of technicians and drivers.
Karlić warns that some doctors might decide to pursue specializations and move to hospitals in the future, but he believes the institute will be able to fill any vacancies that arise.
Karlić particularly highlights the equipment of the teams. Each team has access to an ultrasound device, a feature few institutes in Croatia can boast. They also use ECG devices, defibrillators, and automatic chest compression devices for resuscitation, and small laboratory devices are being procured for use in the field.
The emergency medical service covers the entire Vukovar-Srijem County with teams in Vukovar, Vinkovci, and Županja, where two teams are available at all times. In Ilok, Otok, and Drenovci, one team operates in each location. Karlić attributes the full staffing to good working conditions, quality equipment, educational opportunities, and good salaries.
"Currently, our biggest problem is the emergency vehicles we use. These vehicles are constantly on the move and in the field, which leads to frequent breakdowns. This also results in increased costs," Karlić notes. The solution is in the process of procuring six new vehicles, and the institute should also receive one vehicle from the directorate in Zagreb.
A particular challenge is the patient transport service, which the institute took over a year ago. A large number of patients are transported to Osijek or Zagreb, which further strains the vehicle fleet. Plans are underway to open a new emergency building in Županja by the end of the year, and a new building in Ilok is also planned.
Vukovar-Srijem County Prefect Ivan Bosančić expressed satisfaction with the achievements. "We can be extremely satisfied with these figures. The fact is that residents of Vukovar-Srijem County can count on emergency help at any time, which is of utmost importance," Bosančić said.
The prefect emphasized that the county allocates significant funds for equipment procurement and will continue to work on improving healthcare. "All of this demonstrates the systematic and quality work of the institute," Bosančić stated. Karlić confirmed the county's substantial support through decentralized funds, highlighting that this cooperation is crucial for quality work and meeting all the needs of residents.
