The Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and the Minister of Health, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vili Beroš, M.D., attended the ceremonial opening of the reconstructed maternity ward at the General Hospital Virovitica, marking a significant advancement in the improvement of healthcare services in Northern Slavonia.

The project "Reconstruction and adaptation of the 2nd floor of Building D of the General Hospital Virovitica - Maternity Ward" includes works worth over 1.3 million euros. This investment not only improves the physical conditions within the hospital but also represents a strong step towards modernizing the healthcare system in the Virovitica-Podravina County, which is facing a continuous decline in birth rates and an increase in perinatal complications in recent decades.

Increased availability and quality of care
Thanks to this renovation, the maternity ward now provides significantly better conditions for mothers and newborns, ensuring greater availability of high-quality healthcare for more than 75,000 residents of the region. This project ensures that women from more remote parts of the county have access to modern healthcare services without the need for long journeys to larger centers, thereby directly contributing to a reduction in perinatal care risks.

Investments in infrastructure and human resources
Minister of Health Vili Beroš emphasized that the reconstruction of the maternity ward is part of a broader strategy that includes investments not only in infrastructure but also in the education and specialization of medical personnel. Special emphasis has been placed on continuous staff training, including specialist training for which 13.2 million euros have been secured. The General Hospital Virovitica currently employs 42 residents, with additional plans to train nurses and technicians to maintain a high level of service across all levels of healthcare.

Broader picture of healthcare reform
This project is part of a broader healthcare system reform in Croatia, which also includes other projects such as the reconstruction of the Virovitica-Pitomača railway line, thus contributing to better regional connectivity and improved access to healthcare services. Minister Beroš highlighted the importance of synergy between the local community and state institutions in achieving reform goals and emphasized that only through such systematic investments can long-term sustainability and quality of the healthcare system be ensured for the benefit of all citizens.

In conclusion, the reconstruction of the maternity ward in Virovitica represents not only an infrastructural advancement but also a symbol of commitment to providing quality healthcare to everyone, with a special focus on vulnerable groups such as pregnant women and newborns. This project is an example of how an integrated investment strategy in infrastructure and human resources can have long-term positive effects on the entire community.