In March last year, infectious disease doctor Anders Lindblom took over as the new state epidemiologist at the Public Health Agency after Anders Tegnell.

The assignment was temporary and now a recruitment process is underway for a long-term solution regarding the position. 

SVT Nyheter can tell you that three people are currently up for the position.

Anders Lindblom is not one of those who applied. 

- It's a great job, but there are several reasons for it.

Partly it would be time-limited, and partly I am an old-age pensioner.

I think it's time for some younger talent to take over, he says. 

Those who have a chance for the position are Stefan Holmström, Magnus Gisslén and Erik Sturegård.

Don't want to confirm

Erik Sturegård, 49, already works today at the Public Health Agency, as an investigator and expert doctor.

He lives in Lund and is a clinical virologist.

When SVT reaches him by phone, however, he does not want to confirm that he is one of those who applied for the position, but refers all questions to the Public Health Agency's press service.

Magnus Gisslén, 61, is a professor of infectious diseases at the University of Gothenburg and senior physician at the infectious disease clinic at Sahlgrenska University Hospital.

- I think that I have a background that could be suitable, both as a clinical infection doctor and with extensive scientific experience in the field of infection.

Then it would be an exciting challenge, he says.

"Can be useful"

Magnus Gisslén is, among other things, responsible for covid-19 and HIV care in Gothenburg. 

- I have the best job in the world today, but I think I can be of use to the authority and the country.

I have been involved in several epidemics and worked a lot with HIV and AIDS. 

Stefan Holmström has 40 years of experience in healthcare.

He has worked, among other things, as a pediatrician and virologist.

Most recently, he worked as a doctor at a nursing home.

- During the pandemic, I worked with patients "on the floor", so to speak.

I have always been interested in epidemiology and also worked in medtech and with leadership issues.

In this way, my profile is a little different from others, I say.

The Public Health Agency's new state epidemiologist is expected to take office on June 30 this year.

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Photo: Fredrik Sandberg/TT