Kela Director General Lasse Lehtonen reveals near-death experience following serious illness
Kela’s Director General Lasse Lehtonen has disclosed that he came close to death after being diagnosed with a serious illness during a work trip in December. In an interview with Apu magazine, Lehtonen described his condition as critical, requiring two weeks in intensive care and five days on a ventilator after being flown back to Finland by air ambulance (Ilta-Sanomat, Iltalehti).
The illness was discovered following an incident at Brussels Airport, where Lehtonen’s erratic behavior raised concerns. Eyewitnesses told Ilta-Sanomat that his conduct caused confusion but was not disruptive. Lehtonen later explained in an interview with Maaseudun Tulevaisuus that the incident led to medical examinations, during which elevated intracranial pressure was unexpectedly detected. He credited his son’s medical expertise with saving his life, stating that without intervention, he would have died within days from respiratory arrest (Iltalehti).
Recovery and return to work
Lehtonen was discharged from the hospital in January but remained severely weakened, unable to get out of bed without assistance. While he has not disclosed the exact illness, he confirmed it was life-threatening if left untreated. He noted that 85 percent of those who contract the disease recover, expressing optimism about his full return to work (Iltalehti).
Since his discharge, Lehtonen has resumed academic activities, including supervising doctoral students and working on university book projects. He described his current condition as improved, though he now prioritizes rest, acknowledging that fatigue could impair his judgment (Ilta-Sanomat).
Leadership controversy and sick leave
Lehtonen’s illness coincided with ongoing scrutiny of his leadership at Kela. In late 2024, Iltalehti reported internal conflicts over his management style, including controversial public statements on remote work policies that employees found offensive. In November, Kela’s board commissioned an external review of its leadership, conducted by psychologist Ilona Rauhala. The review was delayed as Lehtonen was unable to participate due to his medical condition (Iltalehti).
Kela announced in December that Lehtonen had been placed on sick leave, initially set to last until the end of May. In March, he publicly thanked healthcare staff for their treatment, calling the support from family and friends invaluable to his recovery (Ilta-Sanomat).