Jakob Forssmed

On 1 December, Minister for Health Care Acko Ankarberg Johansson and Minister for Health and Social Affairs Jakob Forssmed will co-host a conference to discuss Sweden’s support to Ukraine’s health and medical care system. The conference, which will convene both public and private sector actors, aims especially to outline how Ukraine’s health care system can be rebuilt, strengthened and modernised.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has announced a new global Commission on Social Connection. The aim of the Commission is to spotlight the public health problem of loneliness and involuntary isolation and make it a priority. Minister for Social Affairs and Public Health Jakob Forssmed has been included among the twelve Commissioners – the only one from Europe.

Yesterday evening, the Government received the alarming news that two Swedes were killed in a terrorist attack in Brussels. The attack appears to have been aimed at Sweden and Swedish interests. Our thoughts are with the deceased and their relatives.

On 16 October, Minister for Gender Equality Working Life and Deputy Minister for Employment Paulina Brandberg, Minister for Culture Parisa Liljestrand and Minister for Social Affairs and Public Health Jakob Forssmed met with representatives of Jewish civil society. The meeting focused on how events in Israel are affecting Jews in Sweden, current challenges and future efforts to combat antisemitism and support Jewish life.

In light of the recent developments, Minister for Social Affairs and Public Health Jakob Forssmed and Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström invited representatives of faith communities to a discussion to listen to their views and thoughts on recent events.

On 26–27 June, Europe’s key stakeholders in the life sciences sector will gather to highlight the importance of research and innovation in personalised medicine. The conference, organised within the framework of the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU, will be live-streamed.

On Tuesday 13 June, Minister for Social Affairs and Public Health Jakob Forssmed will chair the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO) in Luxembourg.

Sweden and the majority of World Health Organization (WHO) Member States in the WHO European Region have decided to relocate the WHO European Office for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases from Moscow to Copenhagen. The decision was taken in support of Ukraine and enables the WHO to continue its work fighting noncommunicable diseases in Europe.

Speech delivered by Jakob Forssmed at the 66th Session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, on 13 March 2023. Check against delivery.

The Ministry of Health and Social Affairs has four ministers with responsibility for issues concerning social welfare, including public health, health care, social insurance, care of older people, social services, civil society and sport. Responsibilities are divided among the ministers as follows.

At a press conference on 16 February, Minister for Social Affairs and Public Health Jakob Forssmed announced that the temporary entry restrictions on travel from China will be lifted. The restrictions meant that travellers from China were required to present a negative COVID-19 test result. The temporary entry restrictions will cease to apply on 18 February 2023.

Speech delivered by Jakob Forssmed at the seminar Convergence on Global Health - Joint action with reference to the new EU Global Health Strategy at Karolinska Institutet, on 9 February 2023. Check against delivery.

Minister for Social Affairs and Public Health Jakob Forssmed has been appointed member of the Global Leaders Group (GLG) on Antimicrobial Resistance. The GLG comprises world leaders and experts working together to accelerate action on antimicrobial resistance.

The Government decided today to introduce temporary entry restrictions on travel from China. This means that travellers from China need to present a negative COVID-19 test result to enter Sweden. The test requirement applies as of 7 January.

The lifting of exit restrictions from China, combined with the increased and widespread spread of COVID-19 in the country, has raised the question of introducing entry restrictions, including in Europe. Sweden is now preparing to introduce certain such restrictions requiring a negative COVID-19 test. Travellers from China need to be prepared for decisions being taken at short notice.

Minister for Social Affairs and Public Health Jakob Forssmed will attend the Third Global High-level Ministerial Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance in Muscat, Oman, on 24–25 November 2022.

November 18 - 24 is World Antimicrobial Awareness Week, when the issue of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is brought to the attention of the world. Sweden has long worked to slow down the emergence and spread of AMR. Minister for Social Affairs and Public Health Jakob Forssmed is responsible for the issue of AMR in the government.

On Wednesday 19 October, recently appointed Minister for Social Affairs and Public Health Jakob Forssmed hosted a meeting at the Government Offices with Regional Director for Europe Dr Hans Kluge of the World Health Organisation (WHO). At the meeting, they discussed current topics such as efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR), sexual and reproductive health, and how to enhance bilateral cooperation between Sweden and the WHO.