rear the debate article Ole Petter Ottersen, Rector of Karolinska Institutet, Anna Mia Ekström, Professor of Global Infection Epidemiology, Lars I Eriksson, Professor of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, and Johan von Schreeb, Professor of Global Disaster Medicine.

They argue that coordination and cooperation are crucial to how well a crisis can be managed. But during the pandemic, both politicians and the relevant expert authorities could have used the resources of the higher education institutions better and to a greater extent than they have.

At the same time, it is pointed out that there are good examples. One is that early in the pandemic, Karolinska Institutet began working closely with the health service on new knowledge and treatment methods that could quickly benefit patients.

But this cooperation was based on already established contacts and cooperation channels. Such a thing cannot be built in the midst of a burning crisis, the authors of the article write.

In light of future serious health threats and pandemics, the academy should therefore be given a greater role in building better collaboration and preparedness.

Against this background, the AI ​​representatives are now calling on the government and state authorities to urgently invite the country’s higher education institutions to a dialogue on how together they can create a more coordinated preparedness for future crises.