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Viral video: Sweden's health minister, Elisabet Lann, collapses live on TV
ET Online | September 10, 2025 9:42 AM CST

Synopsis

Sweden's new Health Minister, Elisabet Lann, fainted during her inaugural press conference, attributing it to low blood sugar. The incident occurred shortly after she addressed the audience, causing concern amidst ongoing healthcare challenges. Despite the unsettling start, Lann's sudden collapse raises questions about her immediate capacity to tackle critical issues like hospital wait times and staff shortages.

Elisabet Lann (second from the right) can be seen collapsing in the viral video
Elisabet Lann, Sweden’s newly appointed Health Minister, fainted during her first press conference on Tuesday, just hours after taking charge of the portfolio. The dramatic incident unfolded on stage in front of journalists, government officials, and Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.

Eyewitnesses reported that Lann had just finished speaking when she suddenly lost consciousness, collapsing onto the podium, which toppled with her. Security staff and officials, including Kristersson, rushed to assist. The minister appeared briefly unconscious and reportedly struck her head on the lectern before being helped offstage.

Lann, a Christian Democrats member and former Gothenburg municipal councillor known for her work on social welfare, returned a short while later, attributing the episode to low blood sugar. “This was not exactly a normal Tuesday, and this is what can happen when you have a blood sugar drop,” she told the audience.



The scheduled Q&A session and further remarks were cancelled. While no official medical update has been issued, local reports suggest she did not sustain serious injuries.

Her sudden collapse comes at a sensitive moment, with Sweden’s healthcare system facing mounting criticism over long hospital wait times and staff shortages—key issues she is expected to address.

Who is Elisabet Lann?

Lann succeeds Acko Ankarberg Johansson, who stepped down unexpectedly on Monday citing personal reasons. Johansson, a veteran of the Christian Democrats, had served the party for four decades in various roles.

The unsettling start to Lann’s tenure has sparked questions about her immediate ability to take on the demanding ministry role.

Why Low Blood Sugar is Dangerous

When blood sugar levels drop too low—a condition known as hypoglycemia—the body triggers a stress response. This can cause symptoms such as shakiness, a racing heartbeat, sweating, confusion, hunger, and weakness. In more severe cases, people may experience blurred vision, disorientation, seizures, fainting, or even slip into a coma. If not addressed quickly, hypoglycemia can lead to life-threatening complications.

As blood sugar falls further, the warning signs become more serious. These may include:

  • Extreme weakness

  • Difficulty walking or seeing clearly

  • Unusual behavior or confusion

  • Seizures

  • Loss of consciousness

A blood sugar level below 54 mg/dL is considered dangerously low and often requires immediate assistance from someone else, since the person may not be able to treat themselves.
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