Students of Medical-Laboratory Diagnostics founded a citizen initiative called “Absurd” after being denied the opportunity to complete their internships, which effectively blocks their right to work. “According to the Health Services Act, we simply do not exist,” they stated in Osijek.

Kristina Vrbancic explained that the Health Services Act (NN no. 87/09, 2009) is not aligned with the new educational framework and the recently completed study program, prompting the creation of the initiative.

In Osijek, the students organized a round table discussion to highlight the legal mismatch between the education system and the labor market for Masters in Medical and Laboratory Diagnostics. They warned that students who cannot complete their internships face an uncertain future, often leaving Croatia to work abroad—in cities like Munich or Dublin—while unable to practice in their own country.

PhD in Medical Laboratory Diagnostics, Magdalena Perić shared her personal experience in the labor market, and Ines Strenja-Linić, president of the Committee on Health and Social Policy in the Croatian Parliament, noted that the problem arose due to European regulatory changes.

During the round table, Tomislav Kiš, General Secretary of Novi sindikat, emphasized that the third generation of students is affected by the ongoing license crisis and highlighted the need for urgent reforms.

You can listen to the audio here.