Public health

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).

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 Government has decided to donate 722 000 doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to the COVAX global vaccine initiative. Sweden has thereby donated more than 15 million doses and contributed more than SEK 2 billion to global vaccination efforts against COVID-19.

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.

On 26 January, the Swedish Government decided to extend the previously-adopted entry restrictions requiring all travellers from China to be able to present a negative test result for ongoing COVID-19 infection upon arrival in Sweden, regardless of their vaccination status.

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.

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.

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 2030 Agenda offers us a new opportunity to influence and help improve the health situation for people in Sweden and globally. By acting globally, we create conditions for positive developments in our own country while also contributing to, and taking responsibility for, positive developments in the world at large. The document Sweden’s work on global health seeks to bring together and consolidate existing strategies, priorities and policies with the aim of setting out a clear and common agenda and creating the conditions for more effective communications, increased collaboration and, ultimately, more impactful Swedish action.