Civilian medicine and war: transformation of a health centre to a war hospital in Croatia (July 1991-October 1992).

Organization of the first war hospital (War Hospital Dakovo) in the 1991/1992 war in Croatia is presented. During the 13-month period 15123 patients were examined, among them 747 wounded. Complete treatment in the hospital was provided for 334 wounded. Only 23 wounded died immediately after admission, or later on in other hospitals. Most wounds were single and caused by shrapnel. Among the wounded, 75.8 per cent were Croatian soldiers, 22 per cent civilians and 2.2 per cent enemy soldiers.