Barbora Macková to step down as Czech chief hygienist

Barbora Macková will resign as chief hygienist of the Czech Republic effective September 2, 2026, and will continue as director of the State Health Institute (SZÚ), while Matyáš Fošum temporarily assumes the chief hygienist role, according to the Health Ministry’s stated arrangements.

Fošum is currently director of the Ministry of Health’s Department of Public Health Protection. He will represent the chief hygienist until the position is filled through a selection process.

Macková’s resignation follows differing views between her and the Ministry of Health over the reform of the hygiene service. The research information does not provide further details about the points of disagreement or the proposed reform.

Health Minister Adam Vojtěch said that the State Health Institute requires full leadership and that Macková will now focus on that work. She will therefore remain in charge of SZÚ after leaving the chief hygienist post.

Interim arrangement

The change separates Macková’s continuing responsibility for the State Health Institute from the temporary leadership of the chief hygienist’s office. Fošum, who leads the ministry department responsible for public health protection, will hold the role on an interim basis rather than being named its permanent successor.

The permanent chief hygienist will be selected through a formal selection process. No timetable for that process or information about potential candidates was provided in the research material.