ZAGREB, December 3, 2018 - Health Minister Milan Kujundžić confirmed on Monday that he would ask for an extension of the constitutional deadline for the adoption of a new abortion law because it would not be possible to adopt it by 21 February 2019, which is the current deadline.
The Constitutional Court on 21 February 2017 gave the parliament two years to adopt a new law on pregnancy termination, setting 21 February 2019 as the deadline.
"The issue is too sensitive and the deadline is not likely to be met," Kujundžić said at a conference held on the occasion of the International Day of Disabled Persons, confirming that an extension of the deadline would be sought.
"A task force is analysing the experience and practice of European and other countries and will define what is best for Croatia in line with its findings. There is no solution on this matter that can satisfy everyone," said Kujundžić.
Commenting on the case of a bribe-seeking surgeon from Split, which prompted the Health Ministry to send an inspection to the hospital where he works, Kujundžić said that he could not say anything before the inspection presented its findings.
"If what is being said is true, then it's horrible and must be condemned, and the inspection will see if aside from bribery there was also malpractice," Kujundžić said, adding that the inspection's findings would be known by the end of the week.
Commenting on media reports that the Croatian Health Insurance Agency (HZZO) had proposed that as of next year patients pay a part of the price of almost all types of insulin, Kujundžić said that there had been no discussion on such a proposal at the level of the Health Ministry.
He also commented on a two kuna increase in the price of tobacco, saying that it was due to alignment with a European directive and not his demand for a significant increase in tobacco prices. "I advocate protection of life and health, and it has been proven that a significant increase in tobacco prices results in 50-80% fewer children starting to smoke," said the minister.
For more on the abortion issue in Croatia, click here.
