Sweden's Social Minister Calls Key Meeting on Health Agency's Medical Expertise Critique
Social Minister Jakob Forssmed meets with health agency head Olivia Wigzell amid criticism of medical competence.
Key Points
- • Forssmed addresses criticism of the Public Health Agency's medical expertise.
- • Meeting scheduled with Director-General Olivia Wigzell for detailed explanations.
- • Concerns raised by Magnus Gisslén regarding leadership and infection control decisions.
- • Forssmed confident in improved pandemic preparedness despite calls for reform.
Social Minister Jakob Forssmed has summoned the Director-General of the Public Health Agency, Olivia Wigzell, for a follow-up meeting in response to significant criticism regarding the agency's medical competence. Scheduled for Monday, the meeting aims to address concerns raised by the outgoing state epidemiologist, Magnus Gisslén, who has been vocal about the agency's leadership lacking sufficient medical expertise.
Forssmed expressed, "I take the criticism seriously," and seeks clarification on how the agency ensures that medical competency is a core part of its decision-making processes. This call for accountability follows Gisslén's harsh critique of the agency's retraction of its recommendations for increased testing and penicillin treatment for suspected strep throat earlier this year, a reassessment aimed at infection control that raised concerns about the agency's readiness for future health crises.
Despite Gisslén's fundamental call for reform, Forssmed indicated confidence in current pandemic preparedness improvements, citing a review by Statskontoret that supported maintaining the agency's current structure. He affirmed his trust in Wigzell's capabilities, stating that improvements are necessary but significant structural changes are not warranted, emphasizing the need for enhanced efficiency and cooperation in public health efforts.