Prime Minister Plenković rejects calls for Health Minister's resignation after patient death

Prime Minister Andrej Plenković has rejected calls for the resignation of Health Minister Irena Hrstić following the death of a patient at the Sveti Ivan Psychiatric Clinic in Jankomir. While attending the 48th Interliber book fair at the Zagreb Fair, the Prime Minister stated that the Ministry of Health is monitoring and analyzing the case. The Prime Minister, who was accompanied by Minister of Culture Nina Obuljen Koržinek at the event, argued that there is no need for the Health Minister's resignation because the hospital is city-owned, not state-owned.

Background of the incident

The incident involves the death of Kristijan Josip Periš, who died on October 21, 2026, at the Sveti Ivan Psychiatric Clinic. Following the death, the leadership of the Sveti Ivan Psychiatric Clinic, including the director and the Management Board, resigned. One member of the hospital's Management Board is Dr. Zdilar, a physician in the Croatian Armed Forces (HV) system.

The timeline of the legal and administrative response has been documented through various reports. According to Tportal, the Health Inspectorate received a complaint from the lawyer representing the family on October 26, 2026. The hospital administration subsequently sent an official notification to the Ministry of Health on November 7, 2026. Tportal also reported that Minister Irena Hrstić read the official notification on November 9, 2026.

Political response and accountability

Prime Minister Andrej Plenković addressed the political tension surrounding the incident, suggesting that the opposition is applying double standards by not holding the government responsible for a facility owned by the City of Zagreb. The Prime Minister emphasized that the incident is a serious criminal offense and stated that the responsibility of the perpetrators must be determined.

The Sveti Ivan Psychiatric Clinic operates as a municipal institution under the administration of the City of Zagreb. This distinction in ownership was central to the Prime Minister's argument regarding the scope of the Ministry of Health's direct responsibility for the facility's management.

Interliber book fair attendance

The Prime Minister's comments were made during his visit to the 48th edition of the Interliber book fair. The event at the Zagreb Fair featured 320 exhibitors representing 14 different countries.

Glossary

• Zagreb Fair — Zagreb Fair is a complex of exhibition pavilions located in Zagreb, Croatia. It serves as the main venue in Zagreb for trade shows, fairs, and conventions.
• Interliber — Interliber is an international book fair. It is held at the Zagreb Fair.
• Health Inspectorate — The Health Inspectorate is an organization that handles the organization of healthcare. It can receive complaints regarding medical facilities.