Union: Three nurses in one month left Zagreb Prison

Three nurses resigned from their positions at the Zagreb Prison within the last month, according to a statement issued by the Trade Union of State and Local Civil Servants and Officials. The union warned that judicial police officers have already begun assisting with medication distribution to inmates due to severe shortages in medical staff. Iva Sushkovic, president of the union, signed the release detailing the crisis. She noted that the judicial police force itself operates with insufficient personnel, relying on temporary assignments from other penal institutions and overtime work. Consequently, the system shifts part of its burden onto a service that also lacks adequate staffing. The union emphasized that when a nurse leaves, her duties do not disappear. Someone must ensure therapy is administered, monitor health needs, and react to emerging problems. This situation affects both the availability of healthcare and the overall safety of the facility. Unlike individuals outside prison, detainees cannot seek alternative doctors, which increases the state’s responsibility. Healthcare for persons deprived of liberty should not depend on how long remaining employees can endure increased loads or how many additional tasks can be transferred to the judicial police. Earlier, on October 2, the union requested intervention from the Ministry of Health regarding the state of medical services in this specific prison. It now highlights these new departures. The Ombudsman has also pointed out the lack of medical personnel within the prison system. The union argued that staffing policy cannot be measured merely by the number of published job vacancies. Instead, officials should examine how many people were hired, how many left, and how many remain after six months or a year. Therefore, the union demanded official data on the departure of healthcare workers from the prison system. They also requested information on recruitment results and the retention rates of newly employed staff. Additionally, they asked for answers on how medical services will be organized in the Zagreb Prison following recent resignations. They questioned who would assume responsibility if the shortage continues to grow. The union stressed that the current situation poses risks beyond just patient care. The reliance on non-medical staff for clinical tasks creates vulnerabilities. The judicial police are stretched thin, making it difficult to absorb further responsibilities. The union expects clear accountability from authorities regarding the future organization of healthcare in the facility. Without stable staffing levels, the quality of care for inmates could deteriorate significantly. The ongoing exodus of skilled medical professionals threatens the operational capacity of the prison’s health unit. Authorities face pressure to address root causes of dissatisfaction among medical staff. The union maintains that sustainable solutions require more than just posting job ads. They need concrete measures to retain existing staff and attract new hires. The situation in Zagreb serves as a microcosm of broader challenges in the Croatian prison health system. Stakeholders are watching closely to see if immediate corrective actions will be taken. The union will continue to monitor developments and advocate for better conditions. For now, the focus remains on ensuring basic medical needs are met despite the staffing vacuum. The interplay between security duties and medical care requires careful management. Missteps in this area could lead to serious incidents. The union’s demands aim to prevent such outcomes through transparency and proper resource allocation.