The residents of Prvić Šepurina and Prvić Luka have sent an urgent appeal to the relevant authorities regarding the lack of primary healthcare on the island. They are calling for the hiring of a nurse or technician on a full-time basis, warning that the current situation is unsustainable and dangerous, particularly during the tourist season.
The residents state that they previously had a functioning system in place, with a medical technician known as 'our Pupa' living on the island and working for the two settlements. His presence, they say, was not just professional care, but a pillar of safety and survival on the island. Today, they say, they find themselves in a situation that causes fear and a sense of total abandonment by the system among the islanders.
Due to the revamp of the waterfront, the boat currently cannot dock at Prvić Luka, meaning the nurse is available to residents for only about an hour, twice a week. The residents warn that this is particularly problematic in emergency situations. As an example, they cite a recent case where a man was stung by a bee on the lip; due to the risk of suffocation and the lack of medical staff on the island, a helicopter from Split was called in.
The residents question whether it is economically and humanly justified to spend thousands of euros on emergency helicopter flights, rather than investing that money in the salary of a permanent nurse on the island. They particularly highlight the elderly and infirm residents who rely on regular medication and the timely provision of prescriptions.
They point out that a solution already exists, as a qualified nurse lives on the island and, according to them, is willing to work and help her fellow villagers. They are calling for her immediate hiring on a full-time basis and for the provision of constant healthcare in Prvić Šešprina and Prvić Luka. They expect a swift response and concrete steps from the authorities to ensure that the residents of Prvić, who live on the island year-round, have access to timely healthcare.
