According to the Euro Health Consumer Index (EHCI), which measures the quality and accessibility of healthcare, Croatia ranked 24th of 35 European countries in 2018, jumping up two places compared to 2017, but still lagging behind Serbia, Slovenia, and Montenegro.

The EHCI analyses health systems in 35 countries across Europe, using 45 indicators related to patients’ rights, such as the right to information, accessibility of treatment, health care and medicines, and treatment outcomes.

Switzerland, with 892 points, has Europe’s best healthcare system, followed by the Netherlands, Denmark, and Norway.

Croatia got 644 points of the maximum 1,000 in 2018, 24 points more compared to 2017. The highest Croatia has ever ranked was in 2016, when it was 19th on the list.

Even though Croatia’s health system applies very advanced and expensive procedures, there remains the problem of long waiting times for specialist examinations, as well as the problem of accessibility of CT scans and long waiting times for surgery.

Croatia continues to have a high mortality rate caused by cancer and cardiovascular diseases and stroke, as well as a high infant mortality rate, and it does not achieve sufficient results in prevention of high blood pressure, smoking, and drinking, according to the EHCI.

Out of other countries in the region, Serbia ranked 18th, while Slovenia was 21st, and Montenegro 23rd.

The poorest-ranked on the list were Albania, with 544 points, Romania, with 549 points, and Hungary, with 565 points.

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