Medical care

The theme of this year’s World Health Assembly (WHA) was the World Health Organization (WHO) at 75 and the work it does. Representing the EU and its Member States, Minister for Health Care Acko Ankarberg Johansson took part on the first two days (21–22 May).

In response to requests – mainly from Türkiye and Syria – for support to foreign disaster-affected or war-torn areas, the Government has tasked the National Board of Health and Welfare with assessing the possibilities of providing assistance. The agency should examine what medical equipment or materials, or other supplies, may be needed to provide care, and can be donated from available stock or Sweden’s regions after all domestic needs have been met. The Government is allocating SEK 45 million for this purpose.

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.

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.

In 2022, Malin Grape was appointed as Sweden’s first AMR Ambassador to further strengthen global efforts against antimicrobial resistance.

The Swedish Government has adopted an updated strategy to combat antibiotic resistance (AMR). The overarching goal continues to be preserving the possibility of effective treatment of bacterial infections in humans and animals. The strategy will apply until the end of 2023.

On the 6 October, Minister for Health and Social Affairs Lena Hallengren decided to step down from her post. She will leave the Government and take up her seat in the Riksdag. Ms Hallengren will be the new Group Leader of the Social Democratic Party in the Riksdag.

A misleading campaign currently being conducted against Sweden on social media and other platforms falsely claims that Muslim children and families are systematically being subjected to abuse by Swedish public authorities.

Sweden has recently launched a new strategy for Sweden’s cooperation with the World Health Organization 2021–2025.

The Swedish Health and Medical Care Act shall make it clear that the primary care of regions and municipalities specifically provides health and medical care services for common physical and mental health care needs. This is proposed by the inquiry Coordinated development for good and close care in its sub-report Good quality, local health care. The right support for mental health.

In the interim report Elderly care during the pandemic, the Corona Commission reports on what it considers to be the most important reasons for the large spread of infection and the high death rates among the elderly in Sweden.

"Sweden aims to be a leading life sciences nation. Life sciences contribute to improving health and quality of life of the population, ensuring economic prosperity, advancing the country as a leading knowledge nation and achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development."

A Committee of Inquiry in the form of a Commission will be tasked with evaluating the measures taken by the Government, the administrative agencies concerned, the regions and the municipalities to limit the spread of the virus that causes the disease COVID-19 and the effects of its spread.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on the whole world and represents a global challenge the likes of which we have not seen for decades. All affected countries are now trying to solve the crisis with as few negative consequences as possible for people’s lives and health.

In the light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the undersigned chairs and members of the Groups of Friends on the Safety/Protection of Journalists are calling on all states to protect journalists’ and media workers’ safety, safeguard a free and independent media and ensure unhindered access to information, both online and offline.

In light of the extensive spread of the COVID-19 virus and the rapidly changing and uncertain situation for travellers, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs advises against non-essential travel to all countries. Previous decisions taken by the MFA to advise against travel to specific countries or areas continue to apply. The decision to advise against travel was taken on 14 March 2020. This advice applies until 14 April 2020, when the situation will be reappraised.

The WHO has described the spread of the COVID-19 virus as a pandemic. In light of the current exceptional situation, anyone who is planning to travel abroad should carefully consider the risks, and whether the trip really needs to be made.