The Center Party has summoned Social Minister Jakob Forssmed to address concerns about Sweden's pandemic readiness following the sudden resignation of the Public Health Agency's chief epidemiologist, Magnus Gisslén. Gisslén criticized the agency's leadership and expressed doubts about its ability to handle future pandemics.
Center Party Demands Answers from Minister on Pandemic Preparedness
Center Party Demands Answers from Minister on Pandemic Preparedness
The Center Party has called on Social Minister Jakob Forssmed (Christian Democrats) to appear before the parliamentary social committee. They demand he explain Sweden's preparedness for a new pandemic.
The Center Party's request follows the sudden resignation of the Public Health Agency's chief epidemiologist, Magnus Gisslén, on Monday. He had held the top position at the agency since September 2023.
"With the criticism from the outgoing chief epidemiologist, it is clear that it raises a lot of concern. The responsibility lies with the minister to ensure that the agency functions and fulfills its mission," says Christofer Bergenblock, a Center Party member of the social committee.
He now demands that Forssmed appear before the committee as soon as possible. The parliament is still closed for the summer but will reopen in early September.
On Monday, Magnus Gisslén wrote in a debate article in Dagens Nyheter that the Public Health Agency lacks medical expertise in its leadership and that there are serious deficiencies in the agency's leadership. He warns of the potential consequences.
"I have lost my confidence in the agency and am concerned about its ability to handle a future pandemic, which could very well prove to be significantly more serious than the one we have just gone through," writes Gisslén.
"The Social Minister must step in and clarify to what extent he believes the agency can handle this or take action to ensure the agency can fulfill its mission," says Bergenblock.