The healthcare landscape in the Balkan region is currently undergoing a profound transformation driven by the adoption of electronic health records (EHR), the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), and significant advancements in interoperability. This shift is being spearheaded by countries such as Slovenia, Croatia, Turkey, and Greece, which are setting new benchmarks in digital health transformation, telemedicine, and efficient data sharing. The 2025 Black Book of Global Healthcare IT provides invaluable insights into these developments, offering an in-depth analysis of the progress and the diverse challenges each nation faces in the region.
Rapid Adoption of EHR Systems
An accelerating trend in the Balkan region is the adoption of EHR systems, propelled by a growing recognition among healthcare providers of the process efficiency and patient care benefits that digital records afford. By 2027, statistics show that 22% of healthcare providers in the Balkans plan to incorporate AI-driven analytics into their EHR systems. This integration is anticipated to elevate patient care significantly by offering more precise diagnoses and individualized treatment plans tailored to each patient’s unique health profile. Simultaneously, around 30% of healthcare institutions are working diligently towards achieving full interoperability with EU digital health standards within the same period. This move is expected to facilitate the seamless exchange of data, vastly improving cross-border healthcare service delivery.
Government initiatives, combined with international collaborations, have played an essential role in propelling this transformation forward. Slovenia, for example, has established a centralized health data exchange that allows for real-time data sharing between healthcare providers, thereby streamlining patient care processes. Similarly, Turkey’s e-Nabız system exemplifies how patient engagement can be effectively enhanced through mobile platforms, making healthcare services more accessible and efficient. These efforts are substantially supported by both local and global vendors, who are contributing innovative solutions that address the region’s unique operational and regulatory needs, thus pushing the healthcare digitization agenda.
Government Leadership and International Collaboration
The modernization of healthcare IT infrastructure in the Balkans owes much of its progress to active government leadership and international collaboration. Slovenia’s centralized health data exchange stands as a testament to how government-backed initiatives can drive substantial advancements. This system not only allows for the seamless sharing of real-time data, thereby improving patient outcomes, but also optimizes the operational processes within healthcare institutions. Similarly, Turkey’s e-Nabız system has set a benchmark for patient engagement by leveraging mobile platforms to provide accessible and efficient healthcare services.
International collaborations have also played a pivotal role in this transformation. By forming partnerships with global vendors and international organizations, Balkan countries can take advantage of cutting-edge technology and leverage best practices to enhance their healthcare systems. Croatia’s eHealth System, for example, integrates EHRs, telemedicine, and e-prescriptions, ensuring that data is shared in real-time across various facets of patient care. These collective efforts are crucial for overcoming the inherent challenges associated with fragmented healthcare infrastructure and limited resources, thereby facilitating a more cohesive and efficient healthcare ecosystem.
Vendor-Driven Innovation
The role of vendors, both local and global, is integral to the momentum in the healthcare digitization efforts across the Balkans. Local vendors such as IN2 Group in Croatia and Better in Slovenia have been pivotal, providing agile solutions that cater to specific operational and regulatory requirements unique to the region. These vendors have been instrumental in developing scalable IT frameworks that not only support advanced analytics but also enable cross-border care.
Global vendors are equally significant in shaping the healthcare IT landscape of the Balkans. Notable companies like Dedalus, Oracle Health, and CompuGroup Medical (CGM) are offering scalable platforms that facilitate the seamless sharing of healthcare data across regional networks. These platforms play a crucial role in improving patient care and aiding healthcare providers in making informed decisions based on real-time data. The cooperation between local and global vendors is thus vital for building a unified, data-driven healthcare system that can adapt to the evolving needs of Balkan countries and their citizens.
Interoperability and Scalable IT Frameworks
Investments in interoperability are fundamentally transforming the healthcare system in the Balkans, creating a unified, data-driven ecosystem that allows for advanced analytics and cross-border care. Albania’s Integrated Telemedicine and e-Health Program (ITeHP), for instance, has made significant strides in EHR adoption, establishing a national telemedicine network. This initiative aims to digitize health cards and patient records, integrating them seamlessly into the national Civil Register and tax systems, thus ensuring a cohesive and unified health information infrastructure.
Countries like Bosnia and Herzegovina are similarly making headway despite having a decentralized healthcare governance structure. The eHealth Strategy 2021-2025 aims to create a unified healthcare IT framework, with various vendors contributing scalable platforms to support regional healthcare networks. These platforms enable improved data sharing and patient outcomes, demonstrating the country’s resolve to modernize its healthcare system in the face of structural fragmentation. These initiatives are essential in overcoming the challenges posed by limited resources and fragmented infrastructures, ensuring a more integrated and efficient healthcare delivery across the region.
Country-Specific Developments
Albania
Albania has marked significant progress in EHR adoption through its Integrated Telemedicine and e-Health Program (ITeHP). This comprehensive initiative has established a national telemedicine network aimed at digitizing health cards and patient records. By integrating these records into the national Civil Register and tax systems, Albania ensures a seamless and unified health information infrastructure. The ongoing efforts highlight the country’s commitment to modernizing its healthcare system and optimizing patient care through digital transformation.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Despite facing challenges due to a decentralized healthcare governance structure, Bosnia and Herzegovina is advancing its healthcare system through the eHealth Strategy 2021-2025. The strategy aims to create a unified healthcare IT framework. Various vendors, including Dedalus, Oracle Health, and CompuGroup Medical (CGM), are contributing scalable platforms that support regional healthcare networks. These platforms enhance data sharing capabilities and improve patient outcomes, showcasing the country’s determination to overcome structural complexities and adopt a more integrated healthcare approach.
Bulgaria
Bulgaria’s National Health Information System (NHIS) has significantly evolved to become a centralized repository for patient data. Recent legislative amendments have mandated the use of EHR in public institutions, leading to widespread adoption of e-prescriptions and digital patient referrals. These changes have streamlined healthcare processes and ensured that data is easily accessible, thereby improving the overall efficiency and quality of patient care.
Croatia
Croatia has integrated EHRs, telemedicine, and e-prescriptions into its eHealth System, ensuring real-time data sharing across the care continuum. The Central Healthcare Information System (CEZIH) encompasses 87% of healthcare providers in the country, facilitating advanced public health management and policy decision-making. This comprehensive integration allows for more informed and timely responses to public health emergencies, as well as everyday healthcare needs.
Greece
Greece is preparing for a nationwide EHR rollout in 2024 with the help of funding from the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). The use of the MediFile EMR by Computer Control Systems (CCS) has already shown positive results in managing patient records and providing decision support. These developments are part of Greece’s broader strategy to enhance its healthcare system through digital transformation and improved data management practices.
Kosovo
Kosovo is in the early stages of its digital health initiatives, focusing on developing electronic medical records and telemedicine platforms. While challenges remain due to limited infrastructure and funding, ongoing efforts are aimed at improving the healthcare system’s efficiency and accessibility. The gradual implementation of these initiatives highlights Kosovo’s potential to enhance patient care through digital means despite existing barriers.
Montenegro
Montenegro’s eHealth Project is focused on modernizing the healthcare system through the adoption of EHRs and telemedicine. A strong emphasis is placed on cybersecurity and data protection to ensure that patient information remains secure. Additionally, efforts are underway to integrate regional health networks, which will enable cross-border care and improve patient outcomes through more efficient data sharing.
North Macedonia
North Macedonia has made significant progress with Comarch’s telemedicine functionalities, which enhance remote diagnostics and align with EU interoperability standards. The country is also actively adopting HL7 FHIR and SNOMED CT to improve data sharing capabilities and ensure more seamless integration of healthcare services. These advancements highlight North Macedonia’s commitment to modernizing its healthcare system and providing better care for its citizens.
Romania
Romania is investing in the National E-Health Record system to connect primary care, hospitals, and pharmacies, thereby creating a more integrated and efficient healthcare system. The government is exploring cloud-based solutions to update outdated infrastructure and ensure compliance with EU data protection standards. These investments are critical for modernizing Romania’s healthcare system and improving the overall quality of patient care.
Serbia
Serbia’s Digitalisation Program (2022-2026) focuses on building an interoperable digital health ecosystem that leverages AI-powered clinical decision support and predictive analytics to enhance care delivery. The program emphasizes the importance of integrating various healthcare IT systems to improve data sharing and patient outcomes. These efforts are part of Serbia’s broader strategy to modernize its healthcare system and adopt more advanced technologies.
Slovenia
Slovenia’s Central Registry of Patient Data (CRPD) supports a high EHR adoption rate of 95% in public healthcare, ensuring seamless interoperability and real-time data access. The role of local vendor Better in the development of CRPD has been crucial, providing the necessary expertise and solutions to achieve these objectives. This high rate of adoption highlights Slovenia’s leadership in digital health transformation within the region.
Turkey (Eastern Thrace)
Turkey’s e-Nabız platform integrates with mobile health applications, supporting patient data management in 80% of healthcare facilities. Expansion plans include telemedicine services and the integration of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for improved emergency response planning. These developments are part of Turkey’s broader strategy to enhance healthcare services through digital means and improve overall patient outcomes.
Conclusion
The healthcare sector in the Balkan region is experiencing significant changes driven by the adoption of electronic health records (EHR), the incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI), and major advances in interoperability. Countries like Slovenia, Croatia, Turkey, and Greece are leading this transformation, establishing new standards in digital health transformation, telemedicine, and efficient data sharing. Slovenia, for instance, has seen considerable improvements in patient data management through advanced EHR systems. Croatia has focused on enhancing its telemedicine capabilities, providing remote healthcare services more effectively. On the other hand, Turkey is heavily investing in AI to improve diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes. Greece is making headway in achieving seamless interoperability among its health systems, ensuring that patient information is shared securely and efficiently across platforms.
The 2025 Black Book of Global Healthcare IT offers valuable insights into these developments. It provides a detailed analysis of the region’s progress and addresses the various challenges each country faces. The book serves as an essential resource for understanding the dynamics of healthcare innovation in the Balkans, mapping out the future of digital health in this rapidly evolving region.
