CROATIAN CELIAC DISEASE SOCIATY FROM RIJEKA MET THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF
CROATIA MS. KOLINDA GRABAR KITAROVIĆ
An Open Doors Day on the theme "Health for All" was held in the Office of the President, to mark
World Health Day 7th April 2018.
Republic of Croatia President Ms. Kolinda Grabar Kitarović stressed the importance of the individual,
as well as the overall health system in the preservation of health. She particularly pointed out the
role of preventive programs for early diagnosis of celiac disease and prevention of other illnesses.
Additionally, she highlighted that such programs would rationalize the health system by reducing the
costs of treatment of chronic patients and raises the quality of their lives.
“Since Croatia became independent, we are talking about the sustainability of our health care system
and how this is to be achieved. We are discussing possible cost-cutting measures and necessary
reforms. We also talk about prevention, but I think that we are not stressing enough the prevention
as the basis to achieve savings and reforms. Nothing can reduce the costs of treating disease as
prevention can. Effective prevention programs could reduce the costs and burdens as well as future
needs for treatment and care and prevent the disease from manifesting in early life,” said the
Croatian President.
The representatives of Croatian Celiac Disease Society, Ms. Marina Milinović and Ms. Marijana
Smoljan informed the president about the Pilot Project - Testing preschool children on celiac disease,
which will be implemented in September 2018 in Rijeka and also highlighted the main project goals:
early detection of celiac disease, prevention of other illnesses and new comprehensive celiac disease
management approach., which would put patient into a center.
