Incoming Queensland Chief Health Officer will not take position for ‘personal reasons’
Incoming Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Krispin Hajkowicz has announced he will no longer be taking the position just days before it was set to begin.
In a statement, Queensland Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said Dr Hajkowicz cited “personal reasons” for stepping down from the job.
Dr Hajkowicz was due to take over the role from current Dr Jeannette Young, who led the state’s COVID-19 response, on Monday. She is due to be sworn in as the next Queensland Governor next week.
A statement, Ms D’Ath said Deputy Chief Health Officer Dr Peter Aitken will act in the role until a permanent replacement is appointed.
Ms D’Ath said she respected Dr Hajkowicz’ decision and his request for privacy.
Dr Hajkowicz is currently the director of infectious diseases at the Royal Brisbane Hospital and has played a significant role on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic.
After a four month search to find a successor for Dr Young, who has held the Chief Health Officer position for 16 years, Dr Hajkowicz was chosen for his expertise in infectious diseases.
He has led hospital responses through past pandemics, like the outbreak of Swine flu in 2009, Zika virus and Ebola.
Prior to withdrawing from the position, Dr Hajkowicz said he was looking forward to assuming the role and using his clinical experience in managing the COVID 19 crisis.
“It’s the right time to have a clinical lead come into the pandemic at this moment, where we’re going to have a shift, and we’re going to be treating cases in hospitals,” Dr Hajkowicz said.
Dr Young threw full support behind her successor when he was announced earlier this month.
“I have been going to him for the last two years for advice, and he has been the lead in the treatment and management of COVID cases,” she said.
Media interviews for the new Chief Health Officer had been planned for yesterday but were cancelled the day before.
9News understands the cancellation was due to a recurring health issue.
