PITTSBURGH — Zabok, Croatia — The UPMC Hillman Cancer Center has taken a significant step in enhancing oncology care in Croatia through a new partnership with the Croatian Health Insurance Fund (HZZO). This collaboration, celebrated at a press conference and ribbon-cutting ceremony in Zabok on January 7, aims to provide broader access to advanced cancer treatments across the Republic of Croatia.
The agreement allows patients to receive 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. These services are pivotal for precise tumor treatment, particularly for tumors in challenging locations, often reducing therapy sessions and facilitating earlier cancer detection.
Transforming Cancer Care in Croatia
UPMC Hillman Cancer Center in Croatia is part of UPMC, a non-profit hospital network within one of the largest and most respected healthcare systems in the United States, headquartered in Pittsburgh. The significance of this project has been acknowledged by General Hospital Zabok, the Croatian Veterans’ Hospital, Krapina-Zagorje County, the Government of the Republic of Croatia, and relevant ministries and regulatory bodies.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rajko Fureš, M.D., deputy director of General Hospital Zabok and the Croatian Veterans’ Hospital, remarked,
“Collaboration between UPMC Hillman Cancer Center in Croatia and General Hospital Zabok represents a major advancement for oncology patients in Krapina-Zagorje County, across Croatia, and the wider region.”
He emphasized that the partnership enhances cancer diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up, utilizing modern therapeutic and diagnostic approaches to improve treatment outcomes.
Advanced Technology and Global Expertise
Beth Wild, president of UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, highlighted UPMC’s mission to deliver world-class oncology care.
“From the very beginning, our goal in coming to Croatia has been to provide patients with access to advanced therapies enabling faster, more precise and personalized cancer care,”
said Wild. She noted that these technologies allow for earlier and more tailored treatment, representing UPMC’s long-term commitment to research, innovation, and collaboration with Croatian healthcare partners.
The center in Zabok is equipped with the Varian TrueBeam system for stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), which allows for extremely precise treatment of difficult-to-reach tumors while protecting healthy tissue. This technology often replaces long-term treatment protocols with just a few sessions, or even a single treatment, without compromising efficacy or safety.
Local Impact and Future Prospects
Željko Kolar, Prefect of Krapina-Zagorje County, expressed gratitude for the UPMC-HZZO partnership.
“Nearly six years ago, we spoke of a dream: to bring one of the world’s leading healthcare institutions, UPMC, to Croatia,”
Kolar stated. He believes the center will significantly contribute to oncology care for patients across Croatia, allowing them to receive treatment closer to home.
This initiative has garnered support from numerous patient associations, Croatian veterans, and volunteer organizations. Nives Moric, president of the P.I.N.K. Life Association, praised the agreement, highlighting the importance of providing services closer to patients’ homes.
In addition to therapeutic capabilities, the center offers key diagnostic tools such as PET-CT imaging, which enables accurate disease assessment, treatment planning, and therapy monitoring. Opened in March 2025 as the sixth UPMC Hillman location in Europe, the Croatia center is part of a global network of nearly 80 locations, bringing modern oncology care to regions where such services were previously unavailable.
As the ceremony concluded, Beth Wild reiterated UPMC’s commitment to a healthier future, stating,
“We look forward to continuing our collaboration with our Croatian partners to create a healthier future — where access to life-saving cancer care is no longer a challenge, but a promise fulfilled for all.”
