Humza Yousaf believes it is "very legitimate" for people to question the Scottish Government's decision to discharge elderly people from hospitals to care homes during the covid pandemic.
Today marks two years since the national lockdown was announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
The SNP Health Secretary appeared on the BBC's Good Morning Scotland programme to reflect over the last two years and what lessons could be learned.
It comes as figures published on Tuesday showed there were 2,221 people in hospitals across the country with recently confirmed covid-19 - the highest total since the virus hit.
A public inquiry, carried out by Lady Poole, will "establish the facts of, and learn lessons from, the strategic response to the covid-19 pandemic in Scotland".
During the first wave of the pandemic the government was slammed for discharging untested hospital patients into care homes across the country.
Speaking about what lessons could be learned, Yousaf said: "People have rightly questioned the government in relation to our discharge from hospitals into into care homes.
"I think that's very legitimate for people to ask whether the process of doing that was absolutely right.
"And and that's why, for example, we expect the public inquiry to examine that question and the government will cooperate fully in that public inquiry."
Later today a special ceremony will be held at Holyrood to "reflect and remember" those who have died during the pandemic.
Scottish Parliament Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone will be joined by political leaders to mark the occasion.
She said: "So many people have been affected by the events of the past two years. It's important that as a Parliament we can reflect and remember those who have died, those grieving and those whose lives continue to be impacted.
"As parliamentarians, we have heard directly from our own constituents the devastating ways that the pandemic has changed their lives, but we have also seen our communities come together for the benefit of others.
"This gives hope for the future as we look towards our recovery."
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