SDP stresses need for better healthcare

The opposition Social Democratic Party (SDP) Main Committee met on Saturday to discuss a range of policy proposals, including the introduction of a shorter working week, industrial and economic strategy, and tax policy.

Particular attention was given to the healthcare system, with party officials stating that they aim to build a financially sustainable model focused on improving the overall health of citizens.

“Today we are focusing on the healthcare sector. Croatians still live, on average, three years less than citizens across the European Union, while Croatia remains among the countries with some of the highest rates of malignant disease. Much of this could be prevented through better preventive healthcare. At the same time, waiting lists have never been longer. The core problem in the healthcare system is poor organization and the people appointed to lead it by the HDZ,” said SDP president Siniša Hajdaš Dončić.

The party leadership, which is expected to formally enter a coalition with the Možemo political platform, also criticised the HDZ’s decade in power and its record on improving living standards in Croatia.

Commenting on the broader economic situation, Hajdaš Dončić said he acknowledges economic growth but questioned its pace and impact.

“I agree that the Croatian economy is growing. However, the key questions are whether it is growing fast enough and whether we have used the more than €10 billion in EU funds to bring about meaningful structural changes that will strengthen the economy in the long term. These are the issues our party wants to address and discuss,” he said.