"Without synergy between the Clinical Hospital Center Mostar and the University of Mostar, thus high education, scientific research, and practice, 20 thousand fewer people would live here," said neurosurgeon Professor Josip Paladino, an institution of Croatian medicine, for RTV Herceg-Bosna. He added that in that case, even more people would migrate to Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Ireland, and other countries.

"Without a good scientific center, university institutions, and what is needed for the education of young generations, people would lose the motivation to live in this area," said Dr. Paladino, adding that people would not have the assurance that someone would help them when their health is threatened.

He emphasized that the establishment of the University Clinical Hospital Mostar is a prerequisite without which it cannot be done. "People throughout the region can find motivation to be here. It is not only about the economy and jobs but also about healthcare and education."

He said that today everything needed is available in Mostar, while in the past, it was necessary to go to other cities for education. "That is the value of the University. The strategic interest in the whole region is to retain the population, especially young people here - at home."

He emphasized that the purpose of his coming to Mostar is to create a nucleus that will remain and be there, not to send patients to Zagreb.

AI-translated