RESPONSE OF CROATIAN HEALTH CARE SYSTEM TO MIGRANT CRISIS IN THE PERIOD FROM SEPTEMBER 16 TO DECEMBER 31, 2015. / ODGOVOR ZDRAVSTVENOG SUSTAVA REPUBLIKE HRVATSKE NA MIGRANTSKU KRIZU U RAZDOBLJU OD 16. RUJNA DO 31. PROSINCA 2015.

With the arrival of the fi rst wave of migrants in the Republic of Croatia on September 16, 2015, the Croatian Government adopted a Decision on the establishment of the State's Headquarters for coordination of migrant related activities, in whose work the Ministry of Health was included as well. In accordance with the statutory powers, the Crisis Headquarters of the Ministry of Health carried out the activities with the goal of organization and functioning of healthcare. In the initial wave of migration, health care was provided in the temporary refugee camp Opatovac, as well as at border crossings, after which followed the Winter Transit Center in Slavonski Brod. Since the beginning of the migrant crisis until the end of 2015 more than 550 thousand migrants passed through Croatia, out of which 21.694 people requested medical care.

Health protection and risks for rescuers in cases of floods.

Floods can pose a number of safety and health hazards for flood-affected populations and rescuers and bring risk of injuries, infections, and diseases due to exposure to pathogenic microorganisms and different biological and chemical contaminants. The risk factors and possible health consequences for the rescuers involved in evacuation and rescuing operations during the May 2014 flood crisis in Croatia are shown, as well as measures for the prevention of injuries and illnesses. In cases of extreme floods, divers play a particularly important role in rescuing and first-response activities. Rescuing in contaminated floodwaters means that the used equipment such as diving suits should be disinfected afterwards. The need for securing the implementation of minimal health and safety measures for involved rescuers is paramount. Data regarding injuries and disease occurrences among rescuers are relatively scarce, indicating the need for medical surveillance systems that would monitor and record all injuries and disease occurrences among rescuers in order to ensure sound epidemiological data. The harmful effects of flooding can be reduced by legislation, improvement of flood forecasting, establishing early warning systems, and appropriate planning and education.