Viral video: Sweden’s health minister, Elisabet Lann, collapses live on TV

Elisabet Lann, the newly appointed Health Minister of Sweden, fainted during her inaugural press conference on Tuesday shortly after assuming her role. The incident occurred in front of journalists and Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, as she concluded her remarks and collapsed onto the podium. Eyewitnesses reported that she briefly lost consciousness and struck her head before being assisted offstage.

Lann, a member of the Christian Democrats and a former municipal councillor in Gothenburg, later attributed her fainting to low blood sugar, stating, “This was not exactly a normal Tuesday.” As a result of the incident, the scheduled Q&A session was canceled. Preliminary reports indicated that she did not sustain serious injuries.

Lann’s collapse comes at a critical time for Sweden’s healthcare system, which is under scrutiny due to long hospital wait times and staff shortages—issues she is expected to address moving forward. She succeeds Acko Ankarberg Johansson, who resigned unexpectedly on Monday for personal reasons.

• Why it matters: Lann’s health is crucial as she undertakes significant challenges within Sweden’s healthcare system.
• Increased scrutiny and accountability for healthcare reforms may arise from the public and opposition parties.

• The latest: There is currently no official medical update regarding Lann, but reports suggest she is recovering without serious injuries.