Reflections by HH Health Policy Lighthouse // Health Hub Croatia: Driving Innovation and Modern Transformation in Healthcare more than 3 years

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n a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, think tanks play a pivotal role in shaping public policy, advocating for reforms, and fostering dialogue among stakeholders. One such think tank platform in Croatia that stands at the forefront of healthcare innovation and policy development is Health Hub HR. Dedicated to improving the Croatian and regional healthcare system and fostering broader regional discussions, Health Hub is a leading voice in the ongoing efforts to transform healthcare and address the challenges of an increasingly complex healthcare environment.

 

 

 

 

What is Health Hub for Croatia and region?

Health Hub HR is an business think tank established in 2021., that aims to improve the quality of healthcare in Croatia and region through dialogues, networking, research, policy analysis, and advocacy. The platform focuses on generating actionable insights and facilitating informed debates around the key issues facing the regional healthcare system. Health Hub works in close collaboration with healthcare professionals, policymakers, industry, academia, and the public to promote better access to care, enhance healthcare efficiency, and represents beacon of trends and opportunities that address both immediate and long-term healthcare challenges.

Founded with the mission of ensuring that innovative, sustainable and efficient resilient healthcare remains a central focus of regional public policy, Health Hub seeks to bridge the gap between evidence-based research, upcoming trends and practical solutions that can be implemented across the country. It serves as a platform for cross-sector dialogue on healthcare issues, lighthouse toward new trends and modern policies, as well as a resource for the public and decision-makers looking to improve healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.

 

 

 

 

Core Areas of Focus

Health Hub focuses on several key areas that are critical to the evolution of healthcare in Croatia and the broader Central and Eastern European (CEE) region. These areas include:

1. Healthcare System Transformation: One of Health Hub’s primary objectives is to drive discussions on healthcare system reform. Croatia’s and regional healthcare system faces challenges such as access to innovations, underfunding, inefficiency, and unequal access to care, particularly in rural areas. Health Hub advocates for policies that ensure equitable healthcare access for all citizens, regardless of their socio-economic status or geographic location. Through research and public consultations, the think tank proposes measures to increase funding efficiency, speeds up access to innovations, improve healthcare infrastructure, and modernize patient care services.
2. Health Financing and Sustainability: With healthcare spending rising worldwide, Health Hub also focuses on creating sustainable models for financing healthcare. The think tank supports the idea of innovative financing mechanisms, inclusion of Real World Evidence in new reimbursement models, stimulates public-private partnerships, to improve the resilience and sustainability of the Croatian and regional healthcare system, leaning on modern EU / global policies.
3. Digital Health and Innovation: In a time of rapid digital transformation, Health Hub emphasizes the importance of adopting digital tools and technologies in healthcare. The think tank advocates for the integration of electronic health records, telemedicine, artificial intelligence (AI), RWE-solutions and other technologies to streamline healthcare processes and improve patient outcomes. It supports initiatives aimed at building a modernized digital health infrastructure that enhances efficiency, reduces costs, and ensures better healthcare access, especially in underserved areas.
4. Public Health and Prevention: Preventative care is a cornerstone of effective healthcare, and Health Hub recognizes that Croatia’s and regional healthcare system must do more to focus on health promotion and disease prevention. Health Hub conducts public dialogues, research and public campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of lifestyle changes, early detection of diseases, vaccination, and mental health care. The think tank pushes for national policies that prioritize preventive measures to reduce the long-term burden of chronic diseases, and suggests involment of data-driven / eHealth solutions.
5. EU Integration and Regional Collaboration: As an EU Member State, Croatia is deeply engaged in regional and EU-wide healthcare policy initiatives. Health Hub plays a key role in advocating for Croatia’s and regional interests within the European Union’s healthcare framework. The think tank works on fostering collaboration among EU Member States to address common healthcare challenges, such as the aging population, pandemics and cross-border threats, burden of NCD’s and the equitable distribution of healthcare resources.

 

 

 

Impact and Contribution

Health Hub has already made notable contributions to the development of Croatia’s and regional healthcare policies and trends. Its research reports, policy briefs, campaigns, events and public discussions have sparked important debates on healthcare reform, improving efficiency in public health, and managing healthcare costs. By providing evidence-based recommendations and whitepapers, the think tank helps policymakers and all healthcare stakeholders to make informed decisions that are aligned with best practices in health policy and governance.

Health Hub’s influence extends beyond Croatia’s borders. The think tank actively participates in regional and international forums, sharing insights on healthcare best practices, innovation, and financing models with partners across Europe. Its work contributes to strengthening healthcare systems not only in Croatia but also in neighboring countries within the broader CEE / EU region.

 

 

 

 

Collaboration with Stakeholders

A key strength of Health Hub lies in its collaborative approach. The think tank invites to collaboration and public dialogue a wide range of stakeholders, including:

• Policy Stakeholders: Health Hub engages transparently with Croatian policymakers in all initiatives, includes them into public dialogues, providing research-based recommendations and policy advices to improve healthcare delivery at both the national and local levels in times of dynamic trends and health care transformation.
• Healthcare Professionals: The organization actively involves healthcare professionals and associations – doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and health administrators—in its research and initiatives, ensuring that the voices of those on the frontlines of healthcare delivery are heard and best practices are visible.
• Academic Institutions: Health Hub collaborates with universities and research institutes to drive evidence-based healthcare research and inform policy with rigorous scientific dana.
• Civil Society and Patients: The think tank seeks to involve the public in the discussion around healthcare reform, advocating for a patient-centered approach that prioritizes the needs and rights of the population.
• Healthcare Industry: The think tank is championing healthcare industry value and access to innovations (from diagnostics to treatments and policies). Health Hub Croatia is committed to highlighting the multifaceted value of the healthcare industry. Recognizing that the sector plays a key role not only in improving public health but also in driving economic growth and social well-being, Health Hub works to elevate the importance of healthcare within national and regional policy agendas, highlighting economic contribution of healthcare, impact of industry innovations on resilience and long-term sustainability of healthcare systems, need for faster access to healthcare innovations, strengthening public-private collaboration for innovation, encouraging the adoption of preventive and personalized medicine
• Multisectorial approach: The think tank is bridging healthcare with the green sector, tourism, and sport for holistic health solutions. Health Hub is dedicated to advancing healthcare policy and innovation, is taking a forward-thinking approach by working across multiple sectors—particularly the green sector, tourism, and sport—to create a more holistic and sustainable healthcare environment. By forging multidisciplinary collaborations, Health Hub is not only addressing healthcare challenges but also contributing to broader social, environmental, and economic goals. This approach reflects the growing recognition that health is influenced by a range of factors, from environmental sustainability to active living and sustainable & digital healthcare tourism.

 

 

 

 

Health Hub’s Role in Building Modern, Resilient & Sustainable Healthcare

The COVID-19 pandemic has further underscored the need for robust, resilient healthcare systems capable of responding to global health emergencies. Health Hub has been at the forefront of analyzing the pandemic’s impact on Croatian and regional healthcare and offering recommendations on how to recover and rebuild. The think tank emphasizes the importance of strengthening public health infrastructures, improving pandemic preparedness, and ensuring that the healthcare system remains agile in the face of future health crises.

In particular, Health Hub advocates for greater integration of digital health technologies to ensure that healthcare systems are prepared for both routine care and emergencies. It also promotes policies that ensure a more robust public health system, one that can protect vulnerable populations and manage health crises with greater efficiency.

Health Hub is a key advocate for both the value of the healthcare industry and the accessibility of healthcare innovations. By promoting evidence-based policies, encouraging digital transformation, fostering public-private collaborations, and improving access to cutting-edge treatments, Health Hub is helping to shape a healthcare system that is more efficient, equitable, and responsive to the needs of patients. As healthcare continues to evolve, Health Hub’s efforts to bridge the gap between innovation and accessibility will remain critical in ensuring that all EU citizens benefit from the latest advancements in healthcare.

 

 

 

 

Looking Ahead: A Vision for Regional Healthcare Future

Health Hub HR’s work will remain crucial as Croatia and CEE region continues to evolve its healthcare system. As the country faces new challenges such as an aging population, rising healthcare costs, and global health threats, Health Hub is committed to helping shape policies that ensure the long-term sustainability and equity of the healthcare system. The organization’s ongoing efforts to advocate for health innovation, prevention, and reforms will be vital to Croatia’s and CEE’s ability to meet future healthcare demands.

In conclusion, Health Hub HR stands as a leader in healthcare policy research and advocacy. By promoting evidence-based policy solutions and fostering a collaborative approach, Health Hub is contributing to the development of a modern, agile, more efficient, accessible, and sustainable healthcare system in Croatia and beyond. For anyone interested in the future of healthcare in Croatia and the wider region, Health Hub is a vital source of knowledge and insight.

For more information, visit Health Hub Croatia’s website.