10 Staff members serving outside the country of their recognized place of residence whom the Organization has an obligation to repatriate are eligible to travel under Staff Rule 810.7, and their family members recognized under Rule 820 are eligible to travel under Staff Rule 820.2.8 if the facilities for medical treatment at the official station are judged by the Organization to be inadequate. Whenever feasible such travel should be combined with or taken instead of another travel entitlement (see also last sentence of Staff Rules 810.7 and 820.2.8).
20 Travel under Staff Rules 810.7 and 820.2.8 must be authorized by the Regional Director concerned, on the recommendation of the UN Examining Physician/UN Dispensary Physician after consultation with the RSP, for travel within the region, and by the Director of HMS in Headquarters for travel outside the region also following the same process. Only under exceptional circumstances and when medical urgency does not permit prior consultation may RDs or WHO Representatives authorize travel outside the region without first obtaining the approval of Director, HMS in Headquarters.
Travel for medical reasons (medical evacuation) under Staff Rules 810.8 and 820.2.9 in exceptional circumstances for staff members and their eligible family members whom the Organization does not have an obligation to repatriate
30 Travel under Staff Rules 810.8 and 820.2.9 for the spouse and eligible family members of staff members whom the Organization does not have an obligation to repatriate may be authorized in exceptional circumstances by Director, HMS in Headquarters. Director HMS bases the decision for exceptional authorization upon a recommendation from the UN Examining Physician/UN Dispensary Physician after consultation with the RSP. The HR Administrator, GSC will be so notified by Director, HMS to permit the appropriate administrative action with a copy to the RPO for information. Exceptional circumstances could include a situation where inadequate local medical facilities could lead to a life threatening situation and/or major disability. Decisions regarding the adequacy of medical facilities at the duty station to address the medical condition of the staff member and their eligible family members or the existence of medical complications shall be made by HMS, in consultation with RSP, as appopriate.
40 In the regions, authority to approve travel for medical reasons may be delegated only to the person acting for the RD in his/her absence. Should it not be possible to obtain approval sufficiently quickly, the travel may be undertaken pending the establishment of medical justification. In the latter case, the advice of DAF should be sought regarding the source to which travel should be charged. A staff member who chooses to travel further than the nearest place where the Organization considers that adequate facilities for treatment exist must bear the excess cost him/herself.
50 When initially authorizing travel for medical reasons, Director, HMS/RSP sends a notification to the HR Administrator, GSC with a copy to the RPO indicating the expected duration of the absence from the duty station to enable appropriate administrative actions to be taken, e.g., per diem advance, travel arrangements, including the staff member's travel to return to duty, and workforce planning.
60 In the event a request for travel for medical reasons has been made but was not authorized, the Organization may facilitate the travel of the staff member and/or family members on condition that the cost is borne by the staff member.
70 In all cases of medical evacuation, the UN Examining Physician/UN Dispensary Physician or RSP, or the Director, HMS should, whenever possible, make arrangements so that persons charged to receive the traveller have been informed and necessary arrangements have been made to ensure medical treatment and care or admission to the medical facility upon arrival or shortly thereafter. In addition, persons organizing the travel must be informed of the necessary arrangements which have been made. It is therefore important that information be supplied in advance specifying whether the condition of the traveller requires transport by ambulance and admission to the medical facility and, if so, to which section/department of the medical facility, or if accommodation prior to admission to the medical facility would be needed.
