04 July 2001
FICSA Update No. 34 2001
HIV/AIDS: "Make Our Own Workplaces Examples to the Countries we Serve"
The following message has been issued in UNDP. It responds to an urgent request made by FICSA to all Executive Heads.
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From: Mark Malloch Brown
Date: 25 June 2001
Subject: HIV and AIDS in UNDP’s Workplace
As you may now, the Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly on HIV/AIDS is taking place this week in New York with the aim to intensify international action to fight the epidemic and to mobilize critical resources. This historic event also coincides with the tenth anniversary of the approval by the Executive Heads of all the UN organizations of the UN HIV/AIDS Personnel Policy. I want to take the opportunity of this historic moment to assure all of you that participate in UNDP’s health insurance plan that you are covered should you need anti-retroviral medicines because you are suffering from HIV/AIDS.
For the past decade, UNDP has been committed to fully implement the UN HIV/AIDS Personnel Policy and worked with the rest of the United Nations common system to increase awareness, mobilize resources and find creative ways to address the myriad ways in which this scourge affects our entire community. Despite the many efforts, recent estimates by the UNAIDS Secretariat indicate that as many as 3,000 United Nations staff members and their dependents could be infected with HIV. This is of great concern to all of us in UNDP.
There have evidently been problems in some duty stations in obtaining regular supplies of ant-retroviral drugs and I will address this later in this message. However, equally worrying, is that it has come to our attention that lack of knowledge about of the organization’s policies and the rights of staff members have caused unnecessary stress and concern, and may even have stopped some from taking advantage of their social security benefits. I wish, therefore, to remind you of some of our policies and ensure that staff members take advantage of prevention measures and treatment options to improve their health.
UNDP staff infected with HIV/AIDS are entitled to the same rights and opportunities as staff with other serious or life-threatening illnesses. A staff member's status in the Organization will in no way be prejudiced by virtue of the fact that he/she is HIV positive or has AIDS. He/she will be treated in the same manner as any other staff member when being considered for reassignment, extension of contract, promotion, or other entitlements and benefits.
Health insurance coverage is available for all eligible UNDP staff members and their dependents regardless of HIV status. Health insurance coverage of HIV positive staff members is presently no different than for other staff members. All UN/UNDP health insurance schemes reimburse drugs and treatments for HIV/AIDS including anti-retroviral medication. Premiums of HIV positive staff members are no different than those of other staff members. Under MIP drugs are reimbursed at a rate of 80 per cent for out-patient treatment and 100 per cent of in-patient treatment per cent for in-patient treatment and 80 per cent for out-patient, up to an established annual ceiling. Costs incurred over the established ceiling are reviewed for reimbursement under the hardship clause.
UNDP staff members and their families are provided with up-to-date information to enable them to protect themselves and their families, and to cope with the presence of HIV/AIDS in their lives as well as within the UNDP work environment. All staff members have access to the booklet "HIV and AIDS Infection - Information for United Nations Employees and Their Families". The booklet provides facts and information about prevention, testing and getting help. It also contains the UN HIV/AIDS Personnel policy. The document is available from the HIV/AIDS site under OHR intranet in Chinese, English, French and Spanish. I urge all staff members to read it. Prevention is our greatest weapon in the fight against AIDS, and information is the first step.
UNDP does not oblige any staff member with HIV/AIDS to inform the Organization or any of his/her colleagues of his/her status.
No UNDP staff member may be forced to take an HIV/AIDS test. UNDP does not require HIV testing either for initial employment or continued employment with the Organization. HIV testing is also not required for enrolment in the Pension Fund or any of the health insurance schemes.
Confidential and voluntary HIV testing with adequate pre- and post-test counselling should be made available to all UNDP staff and their families. Presently, the UN insurance schemes cover HIV testing at the normal 80% reimbursement rate for two voluntary tests per year for the staff member and each eligible family member. The Resident Representative is responsible for ensuring that an up-to-date list of confidential HIV testing sites is always available to all staff members who are encouraged to share it with their families.
UNDP staff members and their families have access to condoms. In those duty stations where there is not a reliable and consistent supply of good quality latex condoms (female and male), the Resident Representative is responsible for making them available in a simple and discreet manner.
UNDP staff members and their families have access to disposable syringes and needles. Syringes and needles are available at all UN dispensaries. In countries where there is no UN Dispensary, the UNDP Representative is responsible for ensuring that staff are provided with disposable syringes and needles when travelling to locations where there is no guarantee of the proper sterilization of such materials.
UNDP staff members and their families should have access to HIV-tested blood and plasma expanders. All UNDP duty stations should determine the closest location(s) where HIV-tested blood and/or plasma expanders is/are available. This information should be shared with all UNDP staff members.
UNDP staff members infected with HIV/AIDS may not be subject to any form of stigmatization, harassment or discrimination, and have the right for their medical information to be kept confidential.
I would also like to take this opportunity to inform you that we are working aggressively on the medical front. We are committed to:
- ensure that all staff members worldwide have, at any given time, 100 per cent access to anti-retroviral treatment; and
- facilitate the access to affordable drugs and adequate care for all staff member. This will include reliable healthcare facilities/professionals, available either through UN dispensaries or privately, who can assist and advise on use on drugs, provide ongoing psychological monitoring and psychosocial support.
As a first step we will be gathering information on the available local resources to determine how we can better assist in filling the gaps in the different countries. I will report back to all staff periodically on the progress made on this front.
In the meantime, you have my personal commitment that we will do everything we can in this battle against HIV/AIDS. Let us take this historic opportunity of the UNGASS Session on HIV/AIDS, to redouble our efforts and make our own workplaces examples to the countries we serve. Let us do all we can, individually and together, to ensure a compassionate and caring work environment for staff who are infected with HIV/AIDS; for those whose family members are infected; and for those working together with persons who are infected. I count on your support.