Swift Response: Ebba Busch's Quick Action as Health Minister Faints

When Sweden's new Health Minister Elisabet Lann (KD) fainted during a live broadcast, Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch was the quickest to react. She rushed forward and placed her party colleague in the recovery position.

"I saw she was about to fall and moved forward," says Ebba Busch.

On Tuesday, the newly appointed Health Minister Elisabet Lann (KD) fainted during an ongoing press conference. She collapsed over her podium and fell directly towards the journalists present.

"I did what I have been trained to do. Check that her airways were clear, and when there was no need to start CPR, I tried to get her into the recovery position," says Ebba Busch.

"Experienced in Quite Serious Situations"

The KD leader emphasizes that she is a mother, which might have influenced her reaction.

"I'm used to catching my children like a well-oiled lightning bolt. I was also positioned facing her, which might have contributed."

She also has some experience in crisis situations.

"Those who have followed me for a long time know that I lived with a husband who has epilepsy and have been in quite serious situations regarding that before."

Ebba Busch says she feels "uncomfortable" with the significant attention her quick actions have received, which has also been noted by foreign media. However, she adds that it could hopefully lead to something positive and encourages everyone to review their basic knowledge.

"Sweden's Health Minister made a grand entrance into Sweden's government, and hopefully, even more people now know who the new Christian Democrat Health Minister tasked with cutting healthcare queues is," says Busch.

"And the other thing is that more people have a conversation at home about what to do if a fellow human collapses. The first thing to do is to check that the airways are clear, see if the person is breathing and has a pulse; if not, you need to start CPR. And it's good if you've practiced it. Otherwise, it's easy to become a bit confused."

Have you practiced yourself?

"Yes, I have. Many times."

Elisabet Lann's collapse also drew significant attention within government circles. Finance Minister Elisabeth Svantesson (M) describes what happened as "dramatic."

"But I had the pleasure of meeting her not long after that. I was very happy both that she was my new colleague and that she seems to be doing very well now," she says.

Returned to the Press Room

Shortly after Tuesday's dramatic scenes in the press room, it became clear that Elisabet Lann had regained consciousness. With the help of KD leader Ebba Busch, she got back on her feet and, along with the government office's guards and several members of the political staff, moved away.

Lann returned shortly thereafter to the press conference. From the podium, she declared, with a small laugh:

"That's what happens when you have a blood sugar drop," and confirmed that it was an unusually dramatic Tuesday.

Now she is doing well under the circumstances, says Ebba Busch.

"She thanks everyone for their care and concern."

Lann's Sudden Fall: