The Medical Director of Health, María Heimisdóttir, has been on sick leave since the end of November. The Chief Epidemiologist will continue to act as Medical Director of Health in her absence.

The Nordic GovTech Alliance (NGA)—with Fjársýslan as a founding partner—has been named Ignite Heroes of the Year 2025 by Ignite Sweden. The recognition highlights expectations in the potential of public procurement of innovation as a catalyst for real, impact-driven and scalable improvements in the public sector.

Alma D. Möller, Minister of Health, Ásta Valdimarsdóttir, Permanent Secretary, the Minister’s assistant, and a ministry specialist in human resources met yesterday with the executive board of Akureyri Hospital (SAk), representatives of the physicians, and SAk’s professional council regarding the difficult situation at SAk concerning the staffing of certain specialties, particularly internal medicine.

The influenza epidemic is now in full swing, and various other illnesses are also circulating. This is placing significant strain on Akureyri Hospital. Typical symptoms of influenza include high fever, sore throat, body aches/headaches, and pronounced fatigue. Most cases of influenza resolve within a few days, and it is important for people to stay home, stay well hydrated, and use fever-reducing pain medication. We also draw attention to the useful guidelines and advice available at heilsuvera.is. In cases of uncertainty, please contact the health information line at 1700. Information on where to seek care — whether at a primary healthcare clinic or the emergency department — can be found below.

Akureyri Hospital invites everyone to an open soup lunch meeting about the planned new building, to be held at Hof on Wednesday, November 19, from 12:00 to 13:00. The meeting will also be streamed online: https://youtube.com/live/_xwnyW06pzA

Land and Forest Iceland has made significant progress in reducing the use of imported synthetic fertilisers and replacing them with a range of domestic organic alternatives. Around 25% of the nitrogen applied in the agency’s own projects and collaborative programmes now comes from organic fertilisers. This not only brings considerable cost savings but also has positive climate benefits through reduced use of synthetic fertilisers.

In the investigative news program, Kveikur, aired on April 15, 2025, concerns were raised regarding individuals selling and performing flights without the necessary certifications or licenses. The Icelandic Transport Authority urges all individuals, companies, and organisations purchasing air-transport services to verify that the service provider holds all required approvals and valid licenses.

The Directorate of Fisheries has published the results of the reweighing inspection with regard to ice percentage for those weighing licensees who were subject to inspection from the 1st of January 2024.

The Supreme Court yesterday issued a judgment in a case regarding the conditions for the reinstatement of the Supreme Court’s judgment in case no. 478/2014, where M was convicted of fraud in the operations of G hf. and his sentence was fixed to 2 years in prison.

We are pleased to announce that the potential payments under the new disability and rehabilitation payments scheme can now be calculated from September 1st 2025.