Kela Director General Lasse Lehtonen at a Kela media event in Helsinki on 13 November 2025. Photo: Markku Ulander / Lehtikuva
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Lasse Lehtonen, Director General of Kela, remains in hospital in Brussels after travelling on official business against prior medical advice. He is on medical leave until at least early 2026, according to Kela’s board chair Vertti Kiukas.
Lehtonen’s condition is reported to be stable, and he is expected to return to Finland when authorised by healthcare professionals. He has been treated since Friday 5 December for unspecified physical health issues.
Kela, Finland’s national social insurance institution, has appointed Kari-Pekka Mäki-Lohiluoma as acting Director General during Lehtonen’s absence. The organisation states that daily operations continue without disruption.
The Kela board convened for an extended emergency meeting on Monday morning to address the situation. The meeting began at 9:00 and continued beyond its scheduled timeframe due to what Kiukas described as “a high level of concern” among board members.
Kiukas confirmed that Lehtonen travelled to Brussels last week despite being advised not to. Internal discussions at Kela had raised concerns about Lehtonen’s capacity to undertake the trip. He was already on sick leave when he boarded the flight.
On Friday, Belgian police stopped Lehtonen at the departure gate at Brussels Airport. He was then taken to a hospital after reportedly exhibiting signs of confusion. The incident occurred after his planned participation in the Care Summit Brussels event, held on 3–4 December.
Kiukas said Lehtonen received all necessary support from Kela staff prior to and during the incident. He added that Lehtonen remains in Brussels and has not yet returned to Finland.
Kiukas stated that the Kela board will not address questions of trust or performance while Lehtonen remains on medical leave. “So long as he is on sick leave, the board will not evaluate matters concerning his position,” he told reporters.
Kela’s board will meet again before the end of the year. No decisions about Lehtonen’s future role or contract have been scheduled.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
