Public health and medical care

Since 2016, Sweden has had a bilateral cooperation agreement with the US on cancer research. During Minister for Health and Social Affairs Lena Hallengren’s visit to Washington DC on 1 June, the parties confirmed the desire to deepen their cooperation by extending the agreement.

Today, Minister for Education Anna Ekström is meeting the UK’s Minister for Science, Research and Innovation, George Freeman, and Minister for Technology, Innovation and Life Sciences, Lord Kamall. In connection with their meeting in London, they will sign a memorandum of understanding in the area of life sciences. The memorandum builds on a long tradition of Swedish-UK cooperation and is intended to promote joint progress on policy development, technical standards, industry engagement, research, development and implementation of new technologies and treatments.

On 23 May, Minister for Health and Social Affairs Lena Hallengren and UK Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Sajid Javid hosted a breakfast meeting for the Ministerial Alliance of Champions against Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). Both countries established the alliance in 2015 and current members include the US, France and China. The meeting was held in connection with the World Health Assembly in Geneva.

Minister for Education Anna Ekström will visit the UK on 26–27 May alongside the King and Queen. Ms Ekström’s programme includes visits to AstraZeneca and the University of Cambridge, a speech at the Impact sustainability event in London, and signing a memorandum of understanding on life sciences between Sweden and the UK.

The Government has decided to further enhance agencies’ collaboration to combat organised crime. To this end, the Swedish Work Environment Authority, the Swedish Companies Registration Office, the Swedish Board of Student Finance and the Health and Social Care Inspectorate will be subject to an obligation to provide information.

The Government has decided on several mandates that will support Ukraine with medication. The Medical Products Agency and the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency have been tasked with coordinating the transport of medication to Ukraine. The Public Health Agency of Sweden has been tasked with assessing the possibility of donating medication to Ukraine from its reserves.

On 2 March, Minister for Health and Social Affairs Lena Hallengren held a press briefing with Director General of the National Board of Health and Welfare Olivia Wigzell and Director General of the Medical Products Agency Björn Eriksson. Ms Hallengren announced that Sweden will donate medical supplies to Ukraine.

Sweden is establishing a new position – an AMR Ambassador – to further strengthen the important global work against antimicrobial resistance. The position will go to Malin Grape.

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.

Heads of state and government from the EU and the African Union (AU) will meet in Brussels on 17–18 February. It is the seventh time the EU and AU leaders will meet. The aim is to establish foundations for a renewed and deepened partnership between the two unions. The leaders are expected to adopt a joint declaration on closer cooperation in a range of areas. Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson will represent Sweden.

Read more about the Government’s COVID-19 measures in the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs’ policy areas of public health, medical care, social care and social insurance. The date in the title indicates when the article was written.

The phasing out of measures in response to COVID-19 will begin on 9 February 2022. As of that date, measures such as the participant limit for public gatherings and events and the possibility to demand vaccination certificates upon entry will be removed. The same will apply to other restrictions, such as the requirement of social distancing between groups and cap on group sizes.

On 12 January 2022, stricter infection control measures will be introduced due to the significant increase in community transmission at the same time as there is increased pressure on health care. The overall assessment is that Sweden is in a situation where it is necessary to take certain infection control measures in stage 3 of the Government’s action plan for introducing infection control measures.

On 23 December, more infection control measures will be introduced in accordance with the Government’s action plan for introducing infection control measures. This is due to the increased community transmission of COVID-19 and the increased burden on health and medical care services.

Read more about the Government’s COVID-19 measures in the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs’ policy areas of public health, medical care, social care and social insurance. The date in the title indicates when the article was written.

Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson will take part in the European Council meeting in Brussels on Thursday 16 December.

The Government has introduced further COVID-19 infection control measures due to increased transmission rates and somewhat growing pressure on health care services. The Government also wants to reintroduce further support and compensation to reduce community transmission. Furthermore, the Government is presenting a plan for business support that may be reintroduced if stricter social restrictions need to be reimposed. Vaccinations remain the key to reducing the risk of infection, disease and death, and to avoiding the introduction of further measures.

The Government intends to proceed with the proposal to allow the use of vaccination certificates at public gatherings and public functions from 1 December 2021. The aim is to limit the spread of the virus among unvaccinated people in particular by preventing them from gathering in large groups, while public gatherings and public functions can continue to receive visitors.

As the EU heads of state and government meet in the European Council in Brussels, the agenda includes the COVID-19 vaccine situation and how the EU can advance digital transformation. The high energy prices in many Member States will also be discussed. At Sweden’s initiative, the leaders will hold a strategic discussion on trade issues.