Presidential Chancellery Corrects Error After Awarding Title to Deceased Professor

A significant procedural error has come to light within the Chancellery of the President of Poland, casting an unfortunate shadow over the esteemed academic community. In a decision dated February 18, 2026, the President's office conferred the title of professor upon the late Professor Maciej Chałubiński, a distinguished figure in allergology, clinical immunology, and internal medicine. The irony is stark, as Professor Chałubiński had been publicly known to have passed away in August of the previous year (2025).

This lapse occurred despite the fact that the application for the professorial title had been submitted by the Council of Scientific Excellence in 2025. According to the Chancellery's Bureau of Media and Letters, crucial information regarding the scientist's death was not communicated during the processing of his application. The Chancellery only became aware of this fact after the presidential decree had already been signed. This failure in inter-institutional communication is deeply regrettable, especially when dealing with such a solemn and significant honor.

Under Polish law, the title of professor cannot be granted to an individual who has passed away. The Chancellery has assured the public that this was an unintentional oversight, a consequence of communication breakdowns between the involved bodies. They have pledged to undertake corrective measures in accordance with established procedures, though specific details and a timeline for rectifying this decision have not yet been provided. The incident highlights the need for robust communication protocols, particularly when honoring the achievements of individuals who have contributed so significantly to science and medicine.

Professor Chałubiński's legacy is substantial. He led the Clinic of Immunology and Allergy at the Medical University of Łódź, significantly shaping its development. His extensive body of work includes numerous international scientific publications and contributions to medical textbooks. His research focused on areas such as hypersensitivity mechanisms, immune disorders, and advanced treatments for allergic diseases. He was also an active member of international scientific societies, including the European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology, and the Polish Society of Allergology. His passing was a loss to the medical field, and this administrative error only adds a layer of unfortunate complexity to the recognition of his life's work.