Swedish Health Minister Urges Public Health Agency to Learn from Nordic Neighbors

Health Minister Jakob Forssmed (Christian Democrats) welcomes the reform efforts initiated at the Public Health Agency following a storm of criticism from the former state epidemiologist. However, more needs to be done, and the agency is now expected to learn from other Nordic countries.

Forssmed held a new meeting today with the Public Health Agency's Director General, Olivia Wigzell.

This comes in the wake of harsh criticism from the outgoing state epidemiologist, Magnus Gisslén, directed at his employer.

"The agency is now reviewing its organization to ensure it has medical expertise and is strengthening it. I think that's good," Forssmed said after the meeting.

Public Alarm Raised

Gisslén publicly raised the alarm last week, pointing out what he sees as deficiencies in Sweden's pandemic preparedness. He noted that the Public Health Agency lacks deeper medical expertise in its leadership team and warned that the next pandemic could be significantly worse than the one we just experienced.

After the meeting with the Director General, Forssmed expressed satisfaction with many of the answers he received. The Public Health Agency has extensive expertise, including 24 specialist doctors, most of whom hold doctorates in areas such as infectious disease control and infections. Additionally, there is solid knowledge of epidemiology and microbiology.

But he believes more is needed.

"Therefore, the government will soon decide on a mandate where we want the agency to report how it ensures medical infectious disease control expertise at all levels of the agency. We also explicitly state that they should compare themselves with other Nordic countries," Forssmed said.

Comparing with Others

The agency has also decided that the state epidemiologist will participate in all agenda items at management meetings, and an extensive dialogue will be initiated with educational institutions and the profession to ensure the necessary competence.

The Public Health Agency is also set to strengthen its internal audit and make it more independent, according to the minister.

"When it comes to efficiency, it's something I've identified as an area that can be developed."