Ana Stavljenić Rukavina

Early life and education Stavljenić Rukavina was born in Duga Resa. She obtained a degree in medical biochemistry from the University of Zagreb in 1963, and a degree in medicine in 1968, before going on to earn a PhD in medical sciences in 1976 from the same university and passed her specialisation examination in 1979. After two months in office, Stavljenić presented a package of measures to financially consolidate the country’s public health system, which was facing a debt of over 3.2 billion Croatian kuna – at least 400 million US dollars. In August 2000, she presented a proposal to reform the healthcare system. She worked also to ban the dual practice of medical professionals, in which those working in the public sector also worked in the private sector.

Following the deaths of 23 patients within 48 hours due to the use of faulty dialysis machines, Stavljenić tendered her resignation on 14 October 2001, which Prime Minister Račan declined and ordered an investigation.

In 2005, she tried to become rector of the University of Zagreb, but was unsuccessful.