The government of the Republic of Croatia has made a significant decision that opens the doors to the realization of the National Children's Hospital in Blato, Zagreb. This is a crucial moment for the Croatian healthcare system, as the hospital project has been planned for decades, but is now finally approaching actual realization. The hospital will be the first of its kind south of the Sava River in Zagreb, which is strategically important for the healthcare protection of children in this part of Croatia. According to estimates, the entire project will be executed in two phases, and the hospital will have a total area of over 100,000 square meters.

The financing of this ambitious project, whose first phase amounts to 225 million euros, will be secured from the resources of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan and the funds of the European Union. The hospital is designed as a green project, emphasizing the use of renewable energy sources, including solar panels and geothermal sources that are present at this location. The Ministry of Health expects that the hospital will be the first hospital in Europe to be completely carbon-neutral, further emphasizing its importance for the future of healthcare infrastructure.

Resolving property-legal issues as a prerequisite for construction

One of the main prerequisites for the start of construction was the resolution of property-legal relations between the Republic of Croatia and the City of Zagreb. After a series of meetings between the Ministry of Health, the City of Zagreb, and the State Attorney's Office, it was agreed that the City of Zagreb would recognize the ownership rights of the Republic of Croatia over the property, while the state would transfer the properties into the ownership of the City of Zagreb for the purposes of public infrastructure construction, such as kindergartens. In this way, all legal prerequisites for the continuation of work were secured, meaning that the project could soon begin.

The Minister of Health, Vili Beroš, emphasized the importance of this project, stating that the hospital is of crucial significance for ensuring high-quality healthcare for children across Croatia. The first tenders for the development of the main and executive projects are expected to be announced within the next few months, and work could begin by the end of 2024.

Capacity and significance of the hospital for the Croatian healthcare system

The National Children's Hospital in Blato will have a capacity of over 500 beds, and in the second phase of the project, it will be further expanded by an additional 43,000 square meters. The hospital is expected to be equipped with the most modern medical equipment, enabling the provision of specialized healthcare services for children with complex medical conditions. In addition, the hospital will play an important role in providing education and training for future healthcare professionals, with plans to integrate into the University of Zagreb system.

Particular emphasis has been placed on the importance of this project for the entire community, as the hospital will serve as a national center for treating the most severe childhood diseases. Parts of the current departments from the Klaić Hospital, as well as pediatric departments from other healthcare institutions, will also be transferred to the hospital. This will ensure the centralization of top-notch pediatric medical care in one place, significantly facilitating access for patients from across the country.

Adapting legislation for the future of healthcare

In addition to constructing the National Children's Hospital, the government of the Republic of Croatia is also working on amendments to laws to adapt to future challenges in healthcare, particularly in the context of applying new technologies such as automated vehicles. It is expected that new legislative solutions will be adopted as part of the amendments to the Road Traffic Safety Act, which will enable the application of automated systems in the healthcare sector.

In conclusion, the National Children's Hospital in Blato represents a major step forward for the Croatian healthcare system. With the support of the European Union and national resources, this project has the potential to become a model of sustainable and technologically advanced healthcare infrastructure, not only in Croatia but throughout Europe.