Introduction to WHO health services in emergencies
Overview and description of WHO health services
10. WHO's Staff Health and Wellbeing Department (SHW) in Headquarters and Regional Medical Services aims to protect and promote the health and wellbeing of the global WHO workforce. SHW HQ and Regional Medical Services provide health prevention, support, and services; develop and implement workforce health policies; and advise and support management on measures to ensure a safe and healthy work environment at all levels of the Organization using an interdisciplinary approach. To achieve our mission, SHW collaborates and supports partners within WHO and externally.
Ongoing assessments of health risks and medical services in graded emergencies
20. In a graded emergency event, SHW HQ and Regional Medical Services conduct the following assessments of health risks and medical services:
- SHW HQ, Regional Medical Services, the UN Medical Directors Network and partners conduct duty station health risk assessments, including evaluations of medical facilities where WHO has personnel.
SHW HQ, Regional Medical Services, UN clinics, or UN-recognized health care facilities provide travel briefings and travel medical clearances for the WHO workforce. They recommend that all frequent travellers seek prior clearance to specific assignments outside their duty stations.
SHW HQ and Regional Medical Services provide specific medical recommendations for personnel deployed to Grade 3 Emergency responses and other emergencies based on the discretion of the SHW Director. For details, see here.
Special protocol for high-threat pathogens: SHW HQ and Regional Medical Services develop health support plans based on specific situations, including special protocols and medical evacuation response plans at all levels of the Organization in close collaboration with Security, technical units and relevant authorities.
General medical clearance
30 All WHO workforce members deployed for emergency must have valid health fitness for emergency deployment clearance provided by SHW HQ or Regional Medical Services. The clearance is valid for one deployment.
40 For details on general medical clearances, go here.
Pre-deployment
Medical consultation before travel
50 Link to existing section here.
60 SHW recommends that all frequent travellers seek travel medical clearance from SHW HQ, Regional Medical Services, UN clinics or UN-recognized healthcare facilities before specific assignments outside their duty stations. This medical clearance consists of the following:
An update of country-specific requirements for travel vaccines;
country- or context-specific advice, with the provision of travel supplies for prophylactic or emergency health measures;
for those with pre-existing medical conditions, fitness to travel will be re-assessed, and
when indicated, a psychosocial briefing with SHW staff counsellor or psychologist.
70 It is the responsibility of the WHO workforce deploying to Grade 3 (or other graded emergency at the discretion of the Director, SHW, in collaboration with WHE) to ensure that the medical requirements for the country of deployment are met by obtaining a mandatory health fitness for emergency deployment clearance from SHW HQ or Regional Medical Services.
Personal protective equipment training
80 Based on the specific context and outbreak responses, SHW HQ or Regional Medical Services, UN clinics, or UN-recognized healthcare facilities may provide training or resources on personal protective equipment. The WHO workforce should also be aware of standard precautions. A WHO free online course on "Standard precautions: The role of personal protective equipment" is available through OpenWHO.
On-arrival/During deployment
Ongoing support during deployment
90 SHW HQ, Regional Medical Services, UN clinics, or UN-recognized healthcare facilities provide deployed personnel with ongoing medical and psychosocial support.
A list of UN Medical Services and UN-sponsored clinics in the field may be found here.
WHO has launched an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to provide the global workforce with a 24/7 counselling service available in 48 languages, with coverage in 70 countries. The service is available over the phone, via email or application.
Please visit the EAP website or the internal EAP SharePoint site for additional information about using the service. For technical questions about the service, please contact whoeap@who.int.
Management of specific situations
100 Any accident or illness during deployment must be reported to SHW HQ or Regional Medical Services as soon as possible. If WHO workforce members feel unwell during a mission (e.g. fever, headache, chills, diarrhoea, mental or physical exhaustion), seek medical advice as soon as possible from a designated UN physician or person in charge of occupational health in the field. For remote consultation, WHO workforce members may also contact SHW HQ, Regional Medical Services, a UN clinic or a UN-recognized healthcare facility.
110 Links to existing sections:
Entitlements for non-staff on emergency deployment
| Consultants and
GOARN Experts (nil remuneration consultant contracts) | Standby Personnel (SBP) | United Nations Volunteers
(UNV) |
Insurance | The insurance that WHO provides during a consultant contract is considered complementary to the insurance consultants must obtain and maintain in force throughout the contract period. They should obtain and maintain adequate international medical expense coverage under their national, institutional or private health insurance scheme. The WHO-provided insurance expires at the end of the contract and does not reimburse medical expenses incurred after the termination date, regardless of cause. | Health, accident, medical evacuation and third-party liability insurance (covering war risk and other extraordinary risks) provided by the Standby Partner. | Medical, dental, and hospital care, as well as life and disability insurance, are provided by UNV and paid for by WHO. |
Repatriation and evacuation, including medical evacuation | WHO makes or facilitates arrangements for medical evacuation for consultants and, provided that any required visas are issued, access to medical facilities. | Arranged and paid for by the Standby Partner with assistance from WHO, as defined in respective individual Standby Partnership Agreements. | Arranged by UNV and paid for by WHO. |
Insurance for individuals and GOARN experts engaged on consultant contracts.
120 WHO expects individuals and GOARN experts engaged on consultant contracts to have their primary medical insurance coverage: the WHO insurance is complementary and includes limits per below.
Insurance coverage offered by the WHO | Details
|
Medical expenses for accident or illness | US$ 50,000 maximum per event |
Contribution to emergency medical evacuation/repatriation costs* | US$ 10,000 maximum (included in US$ 50,000 above) |
Compensation in case of death due to accident or illness | Lump sum = 3 x annual pensionable remuneration P4.step 1 |
Compensation in case of permanent (total or partial) disability due to accident or illness | Lump sum = Percentage of 3 x annual pensionable remuneration P4.step 1 according to the degree of disability |
War and terrorism risks | Included (nuclear/chemical/biological risks excluded) |
Premiums | Paid by Organization |
*Applies to transportation by professional ambulance service to the nearest hospital where treatment can be given, repatriation to the home country, or medical evacuation to a country where care can be provided.
Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC)
130 A WHO MEDEVAC mechanism is in place for the workforce and eligible dependents as outlined in the eManual sections III.15.4 Travel for medical reasons and XVII.7.2 Medical Evacuation.
Evacuation protocol for high-threat pathogens
140 A WHO MEDEVAC mechanism for high-threat pathogens is in place for the workforce and eligible dependents as outlined in eManual sections III.15.4 Travel for medical reasons and XVII.7.2 Medical Evacuation
End of Assignment
Medical Consultation
150 Immediate medical follow-up is strongly recommended for those who felt unwell during a mission or within three months of returning. Self-monitor and seek medical advice without delay if feeling unwell.
160 WHO workforce must call the emergency number of the country they are in (e.g. if on deployment, call the number shared by the WCO on arrival; if returned home, call the emergency number of the home country), highlighting their recent travel. In either case, report to WHO medical services (SHW HQ or Regional Medical Services).
Support for continuing conditions related to assignment
170 WHO staff members experiencing medical conditions related to an assignment who are deployed on consecutive missions should contact SHW HQ, Regional Medical Services, UN clinics, or UN-recognized healthcare facilities for individual medical advice each time they are deployed.
