Ha dimitido el sucesor de Tegnell al frente del chiringo medio chamánico ese de epidemiología donde trabajaba mi antigua amiga.
Harsh criticism against FHM: "Responsibility to tell"
Magnus Gisslen. Archive image. Photo: Oscar Olsson/TT
State epidemiologist Magnus Gisslén has resigned. He himself writes on Linkedin that the decision was made due to “serious problems” at the authority.
Kajsa Sjödin , Vilma Stockvall
Published17:12
Magnus Gisslén took office as state epidemiologist in September 2023. On Monday, the Public Health Agency (FHM) announced that Gisslén has resigned, and that he will return to his previous position as professor of infectious diseases at the Sahlgrenska Academy in Gothenburg.
– I would like to thank Magnus Gisslén for his efforts. We have greatly benefited from his deep expertise and long experience in the field of infection and wish him all the best in his continued assignment, writes Ellen Jones, head of unit at the Swedish Public Health Agency, in the press release.
Gisslén himself writes on Linkedin that he is leaving his position due to "serious problems".
“The Public Health Agency has serious problems and I feel a responsibility to talk about them, for the sake of the country.”
In a video statement, Gisslén says that for two years he has put effort into trying to strengthen the authority's scientific foundation and medical expertise.
– But my involvement in this issue has become so inconvenient for the authority that they no longer want me to continue.
Gisslén further says that he wants to raise a discussion that can lead to change - and which he believes is required for Sweden to be well prepared for the next pandemic.
Have lost trust in FHM
In a debate article in Dagens Nyheter, Gisslén writes that what he calls serious shortcomings concern both the leadership and the medical expertise at the authority. He criticizes the fact that FHM, after Anders Tegnell left his post, decided that the state epidemiologist should no longer have a decision-making mandate.
"Today, there is not a single doctor or person with deeper medical expertise in the authority's management team. It is remarkable. This is about the authority that is responsible for infectious disease control issues in everyday life and in crises," he writes.
Gisslén demands that the heads of all departments have relevant expertise and that senior researchers be recruited to conduct research in relevant areas. He also believes that the authority is characterized by “inertia and cumbersome processes.”
"I have lost my trust in the authority and am concerned about its ability to handle a future pandemic that may well prove to be significantly more serious than the one we have just gone through."
Erik Sturegård, chief physician and associate professor, will take over as acting state epidemiologist.
The Public Health Authority states that Magnus Gisslén recently learned that he would no longer be allowed to retain his role as state epidemiologist.
“Magnus Gisslén recently received notice that his assignment as state epidemiologist would be terminated, partly due to different perceptions of what the role entailed and what was expected.
"However, we wanted to keep him and his expertise within the agency and he was offered to stay in another role, but chose to resign," writes Ellen Jones, head of unit for the DG's office at the agency.
She further writes that the authority has greatly benefited from Gisslén's expertise and long experience in the field of infections, but feels confident that the work will continue as usual.