At the Special Hospital for Orthopedics and Rehabilitation "Martin Horvat" Rovinj-Rovigno, on Friday, April 11, 2025, the Regional Meeting of the Headache Section of the Croatian Neurological Society for Istria and Kvarner was held, where cases from the profession, scientific contributions in the field of headaches and the organization of the work of headache clinics in the Republic of Croatia were presented, with an emphasis on Istria and Kvarner.
"Given that we opened the first Headache Clinic in the Istrian County at the Martin Horvat Special Hospital in Rovinj 3 years ago, modeled on the European model, this event is the first in our county where the highest representatives from the reference centers of the Republic of Croatia for headaches and migraines met, which is a relatively neglected and stigmatized disease, while on the other hand it is the most common neurological disease. Migraine is the first cause of disability in the world in women between the ages of 18-45, and a special form of migraine with aura is a risk factor for stroke for women under 45. In addition to exchanging experiences, knowledge and plans, our goal is to increase awareness of headaches and the importance of headache assessment by a neurologist for optimal treatment. Headaches do not have to be something "we have become accustomed to living with"
he pointed out assistant professorMatija Sošić, member of the Headache Section of the Croatian Neurological Society and founder of the first Headache Clinic in the Istrian County, who on this occasion presented the work and organization of work at the "Martin Horvat" Special Hospital in Rovinj-Rovigno.
The participants of the Regional Meeting of the Headache Section of the HND for Istria and Kvarner were addressed with a welcoming speech by the President of the Section, professor, PhDDavor Jančuljak.
"The Headache Section of the Croatian Neurological Society organized a regional meeting with neurologists who treat headaches in Istria and Kvarner. The meeting was held on Friday, April 11, 2025, at the Special Hospital for Rehabilitation and Orthopedics in Rovinj, the first health institution in Istria to recognize the importance of systematic headache treatment and organize a Headache Clinic led by neurologist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sc. Matija Sošić. Thanks to the efforts of the Headache Section and local co-organizers, a successful expert meeting of neurologists from headache treatment centers from other parts of Croatia with colleagues from Rovinj, Pula and Rab was held at the Rovinj hospital with the aim of improving the organization of the Headache Clinics network in Istria and Kvarner.
The conference was presented by top experts in the field of neurology, such as: professor, PhDDamir Petravić (KBC Zagreb, Reference Center of the Republic of Croatia for Migraine) and academician professor, PhD. Vanja Bašić Kes (KBC Sestre milosrdnice Zagreb, Rh Headache Reference Center) – who are also representatives of the Management Board of the Headache Section of the Croatian Neurological Society; then professor, PhD.Peter Kes, assistant professor. Dolores Jaknko-Labinac (Pula General Hospital), Zlatko Hucika, MD (Zabok General Hospital and HV Hospital), Marijana Radić, MD (Pula General Hospital); Dunja Pucić, MD (Pula General Hospital) and Helena Fafanđel, MD (Insula County Special Hospital, Rab), and the need to spread awareness about a specialized approach to headaches in all parts of the Republic of Croatia was also discussed.
"This, in addition to raising awareness about the often neglected, self-treated and often complicated pathology due to incorrect treatment, but a pathology that is taken very seriously abroad and due to socioeconomic reasons, absenteeism of the most productive population as well as reduced productivity at home, shares experience from other parts of Croatia in order to further improve treatment and the awareness of patients in Istria that there is a specialized clinic in Istria for such diseases, so they don't have to go to Zagreb or Rijeka."
he pointed out assistant professorMatija Sošić stated that this approach, which is dedicated specifically to this pathology, where a specialized neurologist conducts training abroad (the Netherlands, Spain, Germany, etc.), greatly increases the quality of treatment of the most common neurological disease in the Istrian County, which he believes makes us unique.
"The headache clinic at the Martin Horvat Special Hospital in Rovinj-Rovigno opened on November 7, 2022, and in the last two and a half years, there have been more and more patients coming from all parts of the county, which makes us extremely proud stakeholders in the healthcare system," he concluded. assistant professor. Matija Sošić.
