N1 HrvatskaIndependentCenter3 hr. ago Alarm in KBC Split: Due to the record number of illnesses hospitals are turning to foreign workersThe Clinical Hospital Center (KBC) Split is facing a severe staffing crisis due to a record number of employees on sick leave, chronic labor shortages, and an inability to fill positions domestically. With over 1,000 out of 4,536 employees absent in June alone, the hospital is considering hiring foreign workers for support roles such as cleaning. The situation has been exacerbated by an unusual increase in summer illnesses and the heavy workload during the tourist season, which requires care for nearly a million residents and half a million tourists. While other hospitals in Croatia have seen similar trends, KBC Split remains the most burdened institution. The hospital previously requested government assistance for medical staff during the tourist season, but this has not yet materialized. Similar issues are reported at KBC Rijeka and KBC Zagreb, where external companies are being used to address staffing gaps.
Bias read (Center): The article presents a factual account of the staffing challenges faced by KBC Split, including quotes from hospital management and references to broader systemic issues across Croatian healthcare. It does not exhibit overtly biased language, one-sided sourcing, or editorializing. The focus is on a
tportalIndependentCenter4 hr. ago Due to overcrowding and an unusual outbreak of 'summer sickness' the Split hospital is starting to import laborThe Clinical Hospital Center in Split (KBC Split) is facing severe staffing shortages due to high rates of employee sickness, reaching nearly 25% of its workforce during June. The hospital has begun importing temporary labor, starting with cleaning staff, according to administrator Krešimir Dolić. He noted that domestic labor market options are exhausted, with repeated job fairs yielding few candidates, which he attributes to the tourism industry's impact. While other hospitals across Croatia also report similar trends, KBC Split is particularly strained due to its large patient load and tourist influx. The hospital lacks sufficient nursing staff, making annual leave difficult for many. The Ministry of Health, led by Irena Hrstić, acknowledges this issue, noting similar challenges at other major hospitals like KBC Zagreb, where lower recruitment standards are now being considered. Low wages are cited as a contributing factor, with some healthcare workers opting for employment outside the health system despite potential salary benefits.
Bias read (Center): While the article discusses staffing issues in a public institution, it does not take a clear ideological stance. It presents both the structural challenges (low wages, tourism impact) and administrative responses (importing foreign labor, lowering hiring criteria). There is no overtly partisan tone