Health Hub’s CEE Policy Summit – Antonija Margeta (Ministry of Health): “Croatian Government and Ministry of Health have high awareness about the importance of immunization in preventing severe illnesses, particularly among vulnerable and at risk groups”
irst of all, thank you for a wonderful organization and bringing up this so much important topic. It is an honor to greet you all on behalf of the Ministry of Health. Let me remind you that during the sixth month of Croatian Presidency of the EU Council (in 2020.) our Health Administration has showed timely reaction by undertaking activities related to the response to the emergency spread and mitigation of the consequences of COVID-19 on people’s health and the health system across the EU Member States. It was a great opportunity, given that the countered the importance of effective international communication, as well as multilateral cooperation and the development of policies aimed at preventing serious infectious diseases such as COVID-19.
“During the sixth month of Croatian Presidency of the EU Council (in 2020.) our Health Administration has showed timely reaction by undertaking activities related to the response to the emergency spread and mitigation of the consequences of COVID-19 on people’s health and the health system across the EU Member States.”
Therefore, Croatian Government and Ministry of Health had quickly recognized the importance of immunization as a primary tool to combat the pandemic and protect its population, and has launched the comprehensive vaccination program with the goal of achieving widespread coverage, particularly among high risk groups, to prevent severe illnesses and reduce hospitalizations. Key elements of Croatian immunization strategy were to include early procurement and distribution throughout use, joint procurement scheme scheme and establishing vaccination centres. Croatia’s effective management of COVID-19 immunization was a model of coordinated efforts between Government and health authorities, as well as bringing up the best of innovative technologies.
To conclude, Croatian Government and Ministry of Health have a great experience and awareness about the importance of vaccination in preventing severe illnesses, particularly among vulnerable and at risk groups. Therefore, we are dedicated to continue empowering health literacy so our citizens can make informed, evidence based and better health choices in order to reduce the burden of respiratory diseases.
“Croatian Government and Ministry of Health had a great experience and awareness about the importance of vaccination in preventing severe illnesses, particularly among vulnerable and at risk groups.
Therefore, we are dedicated to continue empowering health literacy so our citizens can make informed, evidence based and better health choices in order to reduce the burden of respiratory diseases…”
Some countries in the region also followed Croatian example of preparing their immunization programs, etc., but Scandinavian countries consider immunization as part of their basic elementary hygiene to stay healthy, wealthy. They are establishing effective “wellbeing economy”. How can we actually go towards OECD countries with the best outcomes, because disparities among countries are really huge?
Indeed, there are also among the OECD member states large disparities. There is an OECD document about it, what to do in aim to fix this huge gap. And one of the possible solutions is really to be more active in this fight against the fake news and to reconsider primary health care as the first and the main focal point for every patient to rely on. Those are the most important and reliable information one can get. The other fact is that there is the great linkage between health outcomes and increased level of health literacy; for instance in states where vaccination against flu had a good statistic they had also a very good vaccination uptake during the COVID-19 pandemic as well.
“We have to join our forces to motivate and inform our citizens about the importance of prevention.”
We want to become a part of “OECD family” very soon. How does OECD shapes immunization policies as an important tool and how can we reduce disparities and address injustice in this region to have healthy individuals, immunized individuals, also as the Western countries?
Well, first of all, the motto of OECD is a “Better Policies for Better Lives”. And I would definitely agree with the latest comment on this. We did sum up all the days of sick leaves (absentism) during the pandemic and what were the costs for our state. During our negotiation process for the health area (for OECD) it was really a big thing for Croatia to have such a small out-of-pocket spending for our patients. We have an indicators showing us where do we have to invest more- and that is to motivate every individual to take care of its own health, we have to invest in prevention more so we shouldn’t solve problems once they are bigger. Croatian health system was recognized as a very quality one. But we share the same problems as the as the other OECD member states have. We have to join our forces to motivate and inform our citizens about the importance of prevention.
