The Public Health Agency of Sweden is under fire after state epidemiologist Magnus Gisslén’s abrupt resignation and unusually blunt public criticism of its leadership. Now the government is stepping in with new measures.
Minister of Social Affairs Jakob Forssmed (KD) says the reforms so far are not enough.
“The measures taken are good and necessary, but more is needed,” he told SVT.
A Storm at the Top
The crisis erupted last week when Gisslén announced his departure in a video posted to LinkedIn. He accused the agency of lacking the medical expertise needed to safeguard Sweden against future health threats such as pandemics.
The agency countered that Gisslén had been informed his role would be terminated due to “differing perceptions” of the job. But his criticism struck a nerve, sparking questions about the agency’s credibility and its preparedness.
Government Response
Forssmed has now called in Director General Olivia Wigzell for talks twice since Gisslén’s resignation. The government is creating an independent internal audit within the agency to evaluate efficiency, test risk preparedness, and benchmark operations against other Nordic countries.
“The Public Health Agency needs to become more efficient, and we will demand comparisons with our neighbors,” Forssmed said.
For her part, Wigzell admits the turbulence has damaged confidence.
“That is why we are now listening and implementing measures, where we must show fairly quick results,” she said.
Leadership Under Scrutiny
The agency has undergone major leadership changes in recent years. In 2024, Wigzell replaced former Director General Karin Tegmark Wisell, who came with medical expertise. Wigzell, by contrast, has a background in health administration.
Despite the criticism, Forssmed says he still trusts her leadership.
“She is a skilled and experienced head of agency, but I also expect concrete measures,” he said.
Asked why the government chose a non-physician to lead the agency, Forssmed insisted medical expertise remains crucial. “That is why I initiated a review two years ago to ensure the agency is meeting its responsibilities.”
A Public Fight
The unusual part of this conflict is how openly it has played out. After stepping down, Gisslén released several video statements blasting the agency’s leadership and warning of weaknesses in Sweden’s infection control system.
The back-and-forth between Gisslén, Wigzell, and Forssmed has made the agency’s internal struggles a matter of public debate—raising pressure on the government to show it has the situation under control.
Bottom line: the Public Health Agency, once the steady voice during the pandemic, now faces a test of its own credibility.