Katalin Karikó Accepts Post of Advisor to Health Minister

Hungarian Nobel Prize-winning professor at the University of Szeged, Katalin Karikó, is pleased to accept the position of advisor to Health Minister Zsolt Hegedűs, the university’s public relations office said on Tuesday.

The statement cited the biochemist as saying that "if the request is for my knowledge and experience, rather than my name, then I will accept the role of health advisor, but only without pay."

"I can offer advice on matters within my expertise. For example, what works well in the American or German health-care systems could be adapted to patient care in Hungary," she said.

"The most important thing is what people can do for themselves. This is prevention, the essence of which is a healthy diet, regular exercise, and a good night’s rest," she added, also emphasizing the importance of attending regular screenings.

Katalin Karikó was grocery shopping in suburban Philadelphia when she received the call from the prospective minister, who invited her to join the healthcare advisory board he was establishing. As it was reported on the university website, “I was in the dairy aisle, standing by the sour cream section when my phone rang – it was Zsolt Hegedűs calling. It was mid-April, during a weekend grocery run,” Katalin Karikó recalled when asked about her conversation with the Tisza Party’s nominee for minister of health.