Trade union: Not optimal for Wangenheim to leave his responsibility prematurely

- Anna Wangenheim has done a good job in her ministerial post and we would like to see that she does not leave the post prematurely.

This is according to Navarana Johansen, who is the leader of the umbrella union of healthcare workers, Peqquinnissaq Pillugu Kattuffiit (PPK).

The statement comes the week after the Minister for Health and People with Disabilities, Anna Wangenheim (D), announced on Friday that she will be on the ballot for the parliamentary elections on March 24.

Subsequently, Naalakkersuisoq went out to say that she intends to resign from her position in Inatsisartut and Naalakkersuisut if she is elected.

- Being Naalakkersuisoq is a full-time job, so I will - if I am elected - of course leave my position, said Anna Wangenheim to Sermitsiaq last week.

- I will do it with peace of mind, because now, over the past year, I have ensured that the healthcare system is not completely in financial ruins.

Her candidacy soon met with criticism from various quarters. Among other things, the chairman of the coalition party Atassut, Aqqalu C. Jeremiassen, wrote in a post on Facebook that the responsibility as Naalakkersuisoq "must be taken seriously".

And now the voices in the healthcare sector are also starting to stir.

- We naturally acknowledge that everyone in a democracy has the right to stand for political elections, and this also applies to Anna Wangenheim. It is a fundamental democratic right that we at PPK respect, begins PPK leader Navarana Johansen, in her written statement to Sermitsiaq.

- That being said, it gives rise to some surprise among us that a sitting Minister of Health and People with Disabilities chooses to stand for the Folketing right now, she writes.

PPK: Continued major challenges

Shortly after Anna Wangenheim (D) was given responsibility for the entire country's healthcare system following last year's election to Inatsisartut, the former nurse turned up the rhetoric and pulled on her work clothes.

- We are approaching a very critical time, said Anna Wangeheim this summer about the sector, which, according to her, several experts and the health workers themselves, has been under pressure for far too long.

A lack of permanent staff, recruitment problems and major budget overruns were some of the challenges that were at the top of Wangeheim's to-do list.

The challenges, which, among other things, had to be solved through greater cooperation with Denmark, it was said.

This resulted, among other things, in an agreement on an expanded temporary worker scheme that will ensure a more continuous influx and replacement of Danish temporary workers in the Greenlandic health service.

In addition, in February, 185 million kroner was secured in 2026 to cover the costs of Greenlandic patients who go to Denmark to receive treatment. Costs that Denmark will cover in the future.

But the fact that Anna Wangenheim can leave the post after almost a year with "peace of mind", as she herself put it, is not a belief that PPK shares.

- It is an area with great challenges and significant tasks that require a strong and sustained focus, says representative Navarana Johansen.

In addition, she emphasizes to Sermitsiaq that it is "crucial" that the work for people in the healthcare system and people with disabilities is taken seriously and will not be overshadowed by an election campaign.

In addition to the health workers' union, Sermitsiaq has also reached out to the management of the health service to hear how they relate to the fact that their naalakkersuisoq may soon leave the post in favor of the Folketing.

The following written statement came from the Health Service Management:

- The management of the Health Service has no comments on political matters and always works loyally based on the framework set by the current naalakkersuisoq in the health area.

Sermitsiaq has also reached out to Anna Wangenheim (D) to hear how she relates to the concerns that have emerged following the announcement of her candidacy. There will therefore be a follow-up.