UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Croatia Has Signed an Agreement With Croatian Health Insurance Fund

UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Croatia has entered a partnership with the Croatian Health Insurance Fund (HZZO), marking an important step in expanding access to modern, high-quality oncology care in the Republic of Croatia. Through this agreement, patients can now access medical services at the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, located within the General Hospital Zabok and the Croatian Veterans’ Hospital. Following a decision by the HZZO Management Board, UPMC will perform 600 stereotactic surgical procedures and 1,500 PET/CT scans in 2026 through referral programs. Stereotactic procedures are crucial for highly precise tumor treatment, especially for tumors in hard-to-reach locations, often reducing the number of required therapy sessions and enabling earlier cancer detection.

UPMC Hillman Cancer Center in Croatia is part of UPMC, a nonprofit hospital network within one of the largest and most respected healthcare systems in the United States, headquartered in Pittsburgh. From the outset, the significance of this project has been recognized by General Hospital Zabok and the Croatian Veterans’ Hospital, Krapina-Zagorje County, the Government of the Republic of Croatia, and the relevant ministry and regulatory institutions.

“Collaboration between UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Croatia and General Hospital Zabok represents a major advancement for oncology patients in Krapina-Zagorje County, across Croatia, and the wider region. This partnership opens a new chapter in improving cancer diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up, utilizing modern therapeutic and diagnostic approaches that will contribute to better treatment outcomes. It also underscores the importance of linking the Croatian and U.S. healthcare systems, creating a new standard of quality in oncology care,” said Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rajko Fureš, MD, Deputy Director of General Hospital Zabok and the Croatian Veterans’ Hospital.

“Nearly six years ago, we spoke of a dream: to bring one of the world’s leading healthcare institutions, UPMC, to Croatia. Today, that dream becomes a reality. Thanks to the dedication of the staff at General Hospital Zabok and the trust of our American partners, Zabok now has a world-class cancer center with state-of-the-art diagnostics and medical equipment. Through this agreement with HZZO, patients in Krapina-Zagorje County can receive care closer to home without traveling to other counties, and I believe the center will significantly contribute to oncology care for patients across Croatia in the future. I sincerely wish this HZZO agreement had come sooner but today is an excellent day. The project was initiated by Professor Primorac, and today we are proud of its successful realization. We have given new hope and access to world-class treatment to patients with the most challenging diagnoses. We see this agreement as the first important step toward comprehensive oncology care in Zabok,” said Željko Kolar, Prefect of Krapina-Zagorje County.

“The UPMC Hillman Cancer Center in Zabok was made possible by a significant $20 million investment from UPMC, reflecting confidence in the Croatian healthcare system and the National Strategic Framework for Cancer Control through 2030. The agreement with HZZO allows patients to access services at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center in Zabok via referral, under the same conditions as public hospitals. The agreement covers 600 stereotactic procedures and 1,500 PET/CT scans, expanding capacity, reducing waiting times, and improving the quality of oncology care in Croatia. We are very pleased to work with Croatian physicians whose expertise is internationally recognized, with Professor Primorac being an exemplary example,” said Prof. Dr. Joel Nelson, Executive Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer of UPMC, and President of UPMC International.

Elizabeth Wild, President of UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, emphasized that UPMC’s core mission is to provide patients with world-class oncology care: “First, I want to thank the Ministry of Health, HZZO, Krapina-Zagorje County, General Hospital Zabok, the Croatian Veterans’ Hospital, and everyone who contributed to making this project a reality. From the very beginning, our goal in coming to Croatia has been to provide patients with access to advanced therapies such as stereotactic body radiotherapy and stereotactic radiosurgery, as well as modern PET/CT diagnostics, enabling faster, more precise, and personalized cancer care. These technologies allow treatment to start earlier and to be tailored to the individual needs of each patient. This is just the beginning of our long-term commitment to research, innovation, and close collaboration with Croatian public hospitals, physicians, scientists, and partners to achieve our vision of delivering top-tier, life-saving oncology care to patients in Croatia and the wider region.”

This investment has also been supported by numerous patient associations, Croatian veterans, and volunteer organizations. Nives Moric, President of the P.I.N.K. Life Association, expressed satisfaction with the signing of the agreement between HZZO and the UPMC Center in Zabok, noting the importance of providing services closer to patients’ homes. She emphasized the association’s ongoing advocacy for patient rights and ensuring that all oncology services are available through HZZO referrals, guaranteeing equal access to quality treatment for all patients in Croatia. Josip Horvatin, President of the Croatian Veterans’ Association in Krapina-Zagorje County, highlighted the importance of preventive screenings and early disease detection, particularly for the specific health needs of Croatian veterans. He recalled that, through the association’s previous efforts, veterans received timely diagnostics and improved care, and he expressed special gratitude to Prof. Dr. Primorac for systematically supporting veterans since the arrival of the St. Catherine Special Hospital in Zabok. He added that the opening of the center in Zabok brings hope and ensures access to quality local healthcare services, with a particular focus on prevention and early detection.

UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Croatia in Zabok is equipped with the most advanced Varian TrueBeam system for stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), allowing extremely precise treatment of difficult-to-reach tumors while maximizing protection of healthy tissue. Thanks to this technology, long-term treatment protocols have often been replaced with just a few sessions, or even a single treatment, without compromising efficacy or safety.

In addition to advanced therapeutic capabilities, the Center has key diagnostic tools such as PET/CT imaging, enabling accurate disease assessment, treatment planning, and monitoring of therapy outcomes. Opened in March 2025 as the sixth UPMC Hillman location in Europe and part of a global network of nearly 80 centers, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Croatia brings modern oncology care to Krapina-Zagorje County and regions where such services were previously unavailable, offering a full range of services, including radiation and medical oncology, as well as PET/CT diagnostics.