wfNlË:R, N," 2g 1?9.6-1"ççil

of the Association of Forrner VIIO StofflY'H O , CIf-121lGeneua, Sutitzerland, ( Tel: 791 31O3; Fax: 791 O746; e-mail: Exstaffi'lYHO.cb)

WnrurED: SUcCESTIoNS Fon ReFoRMFormer staff, who the D-G earlier described as

\ù7HO's "institutional memory," have been asked toput forward "good suggestions" for the role of \fHOin the next century by Dr. Hu Ching-Li, Depury D-Gad interim. Referring to reform and re-organization,the subject that has dominated all others over recentyears, he put the invitation thusly:

"As former staff, you have worked for'§ÿHO fora long time, and you have a lot of experience . You mayhave many good suggestions to make as to what \ÿHOshould be in the 2lst century. \ù7e should very muchappreciate hearing your views."

Addressing participants at the tenth annual re-union of the Association in Geneva last November, headmitted "once you join \fHO, you become a mem-ber of \MHO's family forever. Fortunately, or unfortu-nately, you cannot gét rid of it because yor', ."re..."

And he repeated "I am looking forward to hear-ing your views."

He spoke on behalf of the D-G, who sent"regrets" in a letter read out that he could not attend"because of a long-standing previous engagement.."

This was the second time over the past sixmonths that the views of former staff have beensought. In a letter to the Association last August, Mrry-Jane \7atson, chairman of the Staff Committee askedfor their "input in the \7HO Reform Process," indica-ting interest in "any comments that your membersmight have." There were some 40 responses, morethan received from serving staff.

(,4s the Quarterly Neus uent to press, an adrnin-istratiae circukr, No. 97/15, put out 25 March 1997,announced tbe retirement of Dr Hu as AD-G andDDG a.i. but ako said that be "utill assume responsibi-lities as Senior Aduiser to the D-G dealing in particu-ln this issue :

Feature: "l Was a Delegate", Warren Furth.................2

Pensions: The Punitive Tax , David Payne....................3

Health Corner: Presbyacusis, Tom Strasser................. 4

News and Views: Callfor Candidates. .......5

h4 uith on-going reform.")

An estimated 200 colleagues attended the re-union, the highest number ever at such a function."\Ve feel that this occasion provides an opporruniry forformer staff to meet and renew friendships with servingcolleagues, and to strengthen bonds between us andthe organizâtion," the Association's Chairman, R. Pal,said in opening remarks.

Some 1,650 CHF was donated to help defraythe costs of the buffet which, by all accounts, was thebest ever served. On the menu were these goodies:

Assortiment de canapés uariés, pains surprise, miniramequins, mini pizzas, feuilletés salés, mini chipolata deueau, mini nems, uol-au-uent aux champignons. Bffitchaud: Viande, agneau rôti, cbile con c*rne, nasi goreng,boulexes d"e boeuf Poisson, coulibiac de saumon, reuett€spoêlés prouençale, panahé de k mer, thon à l'Antillaise.Fromages, bffit de desserts.

'W'ine, sofi drinhs.

The roll upon roll of photographs taken at thereunion are available for viewing, and order, at the As-sociation's office, room E118. Mornings only.

Ig

Fgarune

ILbout

I Wns e DeIeGATE.AT.LARGE IN CuIcAGowas a delegate-at-large of Democrats Abroad at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago last Au-gust, part of a team from overseas comprising22 members plus two alternates. Sally McNulty, our delega-

tion head, said that the message to be given to the nation was "uniry," though there might be disagreement

some of President Clinton's policies.

On Monday, opening day, Leon Panetta, Chief of Staffl Vhite House, addressed us - quite an honour.

In reply to questions, he said he hoped that Medicare would become available to the U.S. military and perhaps

even to civilians abroad - though he did not sound very convincing about it.

He also said that the Administration would protect Secdon 911 of the Internal Revenue Code (the $70,000exemption for earned income abroad), in order to expand foreign trade. Our Vice Chair, Joe Smallhoover, urged

that the President say this publicly, since this was the most important issue facing Americans working abroad, a

request taken note of.

Although the real business of the Convention started at7 p.m. daily, we had to be at the United Centerabout half an hour earlier to go through the security checks. There were almost 5,000 delegates present; more

than twice as many as four years ago. Most remarkable, 53 per cenr were \À/omen and 20 per cenr African-Ameri-cans; other minorities accounted for a further 11 per cent. Thus, a cross section of the American people. Manydelegations, including ours, were headed by women, and nearly 50 speakers were women. (Not surprising, since

polls show that women favoured the Democrats.)

foreigner attending might have had the impression that "family" wâs some kind of religion since every

speech - '6lh2ssvsr the subject

- invoked the "family" as if it rvere a deity. The second evening, Tues-

day, was devoted to the Democratic Party's own version of family yalues, led by Hillary Rodham Clin-ton. For the first time ever, she thrust her daughter, Chelsea, onto the political stage, referring to her as cameras

captured the 16-year-old in the VIP box.

On'Wednesday night, Bill Clinton was nominated. In a celebration of solidariry, delegates rallied behind a

President who just ayeer ago had been down in the polls and was blamed by many in his own party for deliveringCongress to the Republicans in the mid-term elections.

The roll call of the States capture a colourful ritual of American political conventions. Each state cast itsvote accompanied by a ringing endorsement of its virtues. After Ohio vored, Clinton wenr over the top at 11

p.m.,withthenecessary2,145 delegate votes. '§(/'e,DemocratsAbroad,câsrourgvotes atlt.45 p.m.,afterallthe states, Puerto Rico and American Samoa, but before Guam and the Virgin Islands, with our chair claimingthat the sun never sers on Democrats Abroad around the globe .

inally, Bill Clinton's acceptance speech, which lasted an hour and seven minures, blended vision and op-timism. The President proclaimed a new politics of ideas, without regard to partisan origin, summarizedwhat he had done, and vowed to do even more in a second term. That included two new proposals: a ca-

pital gains tax break for home-oï/ners and tax incentives for businesses that creare jobs for welfare recipients. Hechallenged employers "to rry to hire somebody offwelfare

- and try hard."

He pledged an election campaign of ideas, not of insults, and repeatedly declared that he would build a

bridge to the 21st century.

-§(/alren Furth

(formerÿ ADG andformer mernber of the AFSM Executiue Group)

Ncus ofthcr4ssociation of Formcr WIIOpage 2

Winter, N" 28

PensionsDoN,T FoncET THE ..P[

-It was intriguing ro see a more or less equally dividedvote for and against taking the lump sum by pensioners re-sponding to surveys in Geneva and New Delhi and the rea-sons for their choice ('A Lump Sum: Taking or Leaving It'QN. 27, Autumn 'ÿ/.

In my experience most UNJSPF officials wouldcounsel

- all things being equal -

taking the full pensionas the wisest option, even though, in general, the fund savesmoney in the long term if pensioners take a lump sum.lJnfortunately, in real life things are rarely equal,

"s ir r.-

flected in some of the difficult decisions made by the re-sponding pensioners. I was amazed to see, however, that noone had mentioned as consideration in their decision taxeson the pension itself and the add-on effect this could haveon investment income.

Assuming that most pensioners-to-be have some lifesavings, then, if the full annual pension is taken, it wouldadd investment eernings to income, thus driving tax liabili-ry through the threshold of higher and, some say, "punitivetaxation". In the U.K., for example, this can be 40 per centand becomes effective on about the equivalent of $40,000annual income.

To choose the best option for themse lves,pensioners-to-be should obtain, in advance of their retire-ment, professional advice from tax experts in the countrywhere they plan to reside, irrespective of wherher they takethe local or dollar currency option for their pension. I didso. Taking into consideration issues such as rhe maturarionof insurance policies, a pending state pension and invest-ment income, I believe I was well advised to take a partiallump sum.

Listed in the adjoining box are the pros and cons of afull pension which should be taken inro account by collea-gues before retirement.

No one can foretell what the future will bring, butwith an assessment of their personal situarion, would-be-pensioners could decide whàt is best before they retire.-O.r..

th. decision is taken the die is cast.

-David Payne

(fo r* u s taff r ep r es e ntat i u e,

WHO Staff Pension Committee)Penartlt, rYales, UK

JNITIVE TAX" FEC:rON

PENSIONS: A FULL ONE OR NOT

Consider a full pension when:. Your combined pension-invesrmenr income fallsbelow local punitive tax levels and is anticipated toremain so in the foreseeable future.. Taxes on invesrments and capital grirr, *ould d.-lplete your anticipated rerurn on an invesred lumlsum.

I. You do not have an eligible spouse. I

. You expect to live beyond the actuarial life .*p..-]tancy of 76 years for men and 82 for women and ris-.1

irg. I

. You are confident that the fund *ill conti.r,r. tJprovide adequate pension benefits with the .o-fo.,]ingcost-oÊlivingincreases. Arrangements exist,lor can be created to reduce your taxation on pensiodand investmenr income, and/or capital gainr, rol

non-punitive levels. I. You are not h"ppy with investing in the open fi-l

nancial market. I. Your country of residence exacrs a wealth tax. I

I

Do not consider a full pension when: I

. You need a lump sum, full or partial, to rationalis{your financial affairs on reriremenr.

I. Your combined pension and investmenr incom{will exceed the threshold of punitive taxes.

I. You anticipate an additional pension, or raxabl{investment income, from other sources (Assets canl

usually be transferred to a low tax-paying depen-ldant whilst a pension can't.)

|

. You have an eligible spouse . (Irrespective of yourlchoice, in case of death your spouse gets half of yourlfull pension for life or until remarriage.)

l]

Learning About Lump Sums

AAFI/AFICS will hold an informati0n meeting 0n lump sums 0n Thursday l5 May 1997 from 16.30 H to 18.00 H at thel[0 (Room lX).

Panellists: Gilbert Ferrari (Chief, UN Joint Staff Pension Fund, Geneva); Warren Furth (former ADG, ADM, WHO); Robin

f.e1ry (fffnflCS), Carl-Heinz Harder (formerly Deputy Director lL0 Liaison Office, ECLA, Santiago, Chile), Klaus Netter(AAFI/AFICS).

Those wishing to attend are asked to drop a note t0 AAFI/AFICS, Bureau C.542, Palais des Nations, giving name andcontact, plus organization, Language either English or French; no formal interpretation.

Qaarterly Nalara of tbe ristochtiar offiormer lW{A Sufr page 3

Winter, N" 28

Neuts ofther*sociation af Former WHO

Health CornerPnESBYAcUSIS

lbert was late for coffee that morning. He looked upset. "l'm sorry," he apologized, "but i just had a

little row with Victoria. I was commenting on that leading article in the Tribune, and she asked me to

say it again and then again. I did. Then she yelled: "'W'hy do you shout at me? I am not deafl"

I could not refrain from smiling discreetly at the description of this domestic scene, rypical for an elder-

ly couple having spent together so many decades. \Vho of the two has presbyacusis, I wondered: he , she, or both?

Presbyacusis is the medical term for (partial) Ioss of hearing, due to old age. It is very common; about one

half of the elderly have some hearing impairment. The hearing threshold in elderly persons is in general higher,

i.e. they need more decibels to perceive a sound, men more so than women. The perception of tones is more im-

paired at higher frequencies; the loss starts above frequencies of 1000 Hz.

Elderly people find it more difficult to perceive, where sounds are coming from, especially in the higher fre-

quencies. In old age, background noise increasingly impedes the perception of more important, meaningful

sounds. The need for louder acoustic signals may often require the use of hearing aids; however, in the presence

of disturbing background noise, hearing aids are of little use since they ampliÿ without distinction useful sounds

(speech) and useless noise.

onsonants have higher frequencies than vowels (2-4000 Hz, as compared with the 250-760 Hz of the

vowels), thus the "understanding" (intelligibility) of speech becomes increasingly impaired with de-

creasing high-frequency perception. This may contribute considerably to the communication difficul-ties of elderlypeople. Fortunately, the consonants are more readilyappreciated (guessed) bylip reading.

Anatomical changes in presbyacusis in-

clude loss of elasticity of the rympanic mem-

brane, some loss of mobiliry of the hearing

bones, as well as various changes in the inner

ear. These are not amenable to treâtment.

However, accumulation of cerumen, a most

commonplace event, may be easily remedied

by any doctor, simply by rinsing the outer

ear.

(( T ,1,"U,. Albert, checking whether

I rhere is cerumen in your auditoryJ- canal might be useful." I said.

"But let us not v/orry about trifles right now;

let us have the traditional slice of chocolate

cake."

"Sorry," he replied. "There is so much

noise here. I didn't hear you well. Could

you say that again?"

-Tom Strasser, M.D.(formerly CVD)

*-T

II D-i;:6Uü[$trH*l"{:{[ *''l,*;àlr0 srllI *îr

"My inner child just turned sixty-fue."

z§

È

§

§S

\

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u l'1n

tt

ln

IlVinter, H" ?8 1*b:1997

NEWS AND VIEWS

Cnll FoR CRttoloATEs'§fith the mandate of the fusociation's Executive

Group to end September 1997, colleasues have been

asked to step-up and stand for office. The next election

will be the first ever held for three-year terms, follow-ing amendment of rules in 1996 extending service by ayear. It will aim to bring the executive body up to itsfull l2-member strength. At present only l0 serve.

Under rules, fully paid-up colleagues, who live inthe greater Geneva area (and therefore able to attendfunctions), are eligible to run. The deadline for candi-

dates to declare themselves is 30 May 1997.

SIoewILKS oF New YoRK

There has long been a \7HO presence in NewYork, at the United Nations, but on the streets of the

Big Apple? Never, till last November at the New YorkCiry Marathon.

Five serving colleagues competed in, and com-

pleted, the gruelling 42 krlometres, 195 m€tres course

(about 27 miles) through the five boroughs -

Bronx,Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Statten Island- intimes ranging from three to four hours,

Jean Emmanuel (BLS), Philip Jenkins (PCS),

François Meslin (EMC), Det Ponz (PER) and RichardSaynor (BUD) finished "on their feet and with smiles

on their faces" to the cheers of millions Eastside, 'W'est-

side on the sidewalks of New York, the StaffAssocia-tion proudly announced in an circular..

"Much of the information that circulates these

days within Hq. is gloomy, so it is good to be able to

give news of a fine achievement," it went on to say. As

a corollary to the event, serving colleagues raised 1,600

CHF for the Cancer and Leukemia in ChildhoodTrust.

AruoruyuITY REQUESTED

The officers of the Executive Group couldscarcely believe their eyes, but there it was, as large as

life, a gift of 5,000 CHF to the Association contributedby a colleague who requested anonymiry in a splendid

display of generosity and modesty.

TeIEpgoNES, FAxEs, EVEN E.MAIL

Surely but ever so slowly, it is coming 2§6u1- x

user-friendly directory of (paid-up, of course) mem-bers. The one produced in January boasted an attrec-

tive green cover, and more telephone numbers, fax

numbers, and in câses even e-mail numbers. A quickcount showed about 180 telephone, 30 fax, and l0 e-

mail numbers listed out of a total of about 950 names.

Frankly, rather slim pickings, but a start and cer-

tainly to please colleague Jery Kilker, once of NewYork but now of Bonneville, France who has cam-

paigned long and hard for a directory that facilitates

keeping in touch.

LrresrYLEsON SIeEP, STRESS, SEx, SeIr ...

Vhat distinguishes this little book on aging, simply titled "Healthy Aging," from others on the same subjis its author. A.P. Dewan is a former international civil servant, who served for 14 years with the

'§7'orld Foodgrâmme as an adviser in communiry development, as well as for the United Nations in the field for three yeaToday, in his mid-7O's, and with four publications to his name, he is chairman of India's Nature Cure and HealCentre in New Delhi.

"Stress management, nutrition and exercise are the basis of longeviry and optimum health," and the keygraceful aging, he says in a forward to this 150-page work, which while rooted in his native India draws upon all ctures for inspiration and authentication. Indeed, it is a delight for the variety of sources he quotes - religious, liary, political, scientific.

To name just a few: Gita, Lord Krishnâ, as well as Jesus, Lord God; Plato and Euripides; Charles Dicke\Tilliam Shakespeare and'W'inston Churchill; Benjamin Franklin, Victor Hugo and Maxim Gorky; Masters a

Johnson, the American Medical Association, and the U.S. Surgeon-General.

page 5

.Echoing Hippocrates, in whose tim;,_we are told, old age began at 56, and who warned against a sedentarylife, the author's advice to readers is this: "You should not retire, birt only change activities at a particular age -even if you dg

"91 get paid" for your labours. It is advice that those serving .oll."g,r., against voluntarism"may

not be pleased with, alas !

The author himself does not seek "privat..g1il" for his book, which "I present ro my elderly brerhren," hesays. Any profit will go ro centres that serve the elderly. Some excerpts:

On Sleep: "Before sleep, put your feet in hotwater for some time. This will induce sleep early, andit may be deep sleep."

On Stress: "To minimize stress, take flight ra-ther than fight. Find e momenrary rerreat."

On Sex "§7hy ... discontinue such a desirableexperience? Many older couples have found that sex isbetter in the mornings, when they are refreshed."

On Self: "Keep your expecrations very low, andyour emotional health will never be disturbed."

And on garlic: It "normalises blood pressure, re-ducing it in the case of hypertensiv. p.rràrrr and in-creasing it in case of persons with low blood pressure."

The publisher: A.C. Specialist Publishers Ltd.,E-19 East of Kailash, New Delhi, 110656.

The price:40 rupees ( approx. 2 CHF)

§

ài-

(xS

§\

"Good. Nout start it up again."

AruVTNIruG BUT RETIREONils Dahlqvist, former external relations officer,

represented the International Council on Social'§ÿel-fare at \fHO during its 27th conference, which drewsome 900 delegates ro Housron, Texas in August.

He presented a paper titled "Global Health in aChanging'§7orld", the theme of which was "societiesin Transition

- Developmenr in a Political, Economic

and Social Contexr". He also served as a panel mem-ber in a workshop to raise funds for fuia and the Paci-fic.

SruDIo FoR SeIeIn a fine example of advance planning, and vigor-

ous marketing, Dr. Thomas Ng, HEP, who will foinour ranls only in 1998 and thereafter go home towardsAustralia, is offering his studio in Ferney-Voltaire tocolleagues ar a speciel sale price of 265,000 FF. Itsmarket value is esrimared ar 310,000 FF. Other details:

Location: Les Hesperides, Chemin de Colhx. Quitt;near F-bus stop dnd shop?ing area. Size: 25.5 ,q. *itrrr,liuing area, hitchenette, W.C. and bath. Balciny, utithuiew, 8.7 sq. meters. Groundfhor gdrag€ and caue.

He is also offering ro pay a 5 pu cent commis-sion to colleagues who assist in the sale. Contact:Home 04 50 40 S3 45. Office:7913433.

IN THE HoUsE

HE.r IN THE RINC

Dr. Ebrahim Malick Samba, Regional Direcor,AFRO, has announced "rhar he would conresr for thepost of D-G," according to a press release put out byhis office in Brazzaville on 28 January this year. Viththe term of office of the incumbent ending nexr yeâr,the Executive Board must recommend a candidatewhen it meets in Geneva in January 1998.

The RD is of Gambian nationaliry, born on 27December 1932, "into a family of 3l children," rhe re-lease says. He is married and has three children. Hewas elected RD in September 1994, bw had beennamed ad interim earlier following the death in officeof the RD in 1984, earning "praise for the able mannerin which he performed this task." From 1980, he wasDirector, Onchocerciasis Control Programme in'WestAfrica.

page 6

lffinter, N'28

In what the AFRO press office described as "an

exclusive interview" he said during the 1996 lÿorld

Health Assembly, "many delegations contacted himand his country's delegation, urging him to run."Among his pledges, if elected, wes more decentraliza-

tion from Hq. to countries. (See ako "Bonnet in the

Ring" p. 10.)

WHO's Newesr Is LITTLE ANDoRRA

The Principaliry of Andorra has become 'WIIO's

newest and 191st member, effective 15 January 1997,when it deposited its ecceptance of the \7HO Consti-tution at the United Nations, New York.

Narus of tltc *4stociation af Former WIIA

LETTERS

(Unhss stated to the contrar! by correspondents, letters receiaed a.re routineb considered,and edited, for pablication to encourage an exchange of aietus arnong colhagaes. - Editor)

TRoUBLED BANKING(Re: "The Case of the Missing Money" Quarterly

News Na. 27, Autumn '96)

Your article about our'§ÿ?RO colleague was verytroubling. I can't imagine how lax the Swiss bankingregulations are if the story is on the level! The managerof a local bank that I contacted, and showed your arti-cle, reassured me that it could not have happened inCalifornia because of strict regulations in wire transfersof money. In most cases here they require the sender's

presence to identiÿ himself and fill out certain forms.If he is away, they require proof of his identiry.

Since banking regulations ate different inGeneva, it is difficult to judge culpability. Obviously,in the eye of the Swiss bank, our '§?'PRO colleague maybe suspected as being himself the third person! Itmight have been better for him to travel to Geneva im-mediately to have a face-to- face talk with the bank,with the help of a Swiss lawyer.

Our Association or the '§ÿHO administrationcannot assume sole responsibility to fight this case.

Our best role should be facilitatory.

My sympathy with our colleague; hoping thematter can be satisfactorily resolved.

-Mahmood Suleiman

(frrmerly EHE)Menlo Parh, California, USA

..J UST UN EEI-IEVABLE,,The bank story is just unbelievable. It seems that

none of us is safe with any bank account, unless wetake utmost care when giving instructions for moneytransfer, and keep our eccount numbers safe.

I hope that, in he meantime, the bank has admit-ted responsabiliry and has compensated our colleague,not only for the amount lost, but also for the interrest

that he did not receive during the period of dispute.

-Tibor Farkas

(formerlY INF)Geneua

(in an e-mailfrom Melbourn4 Australia)

..ESPECIALLY UNJUST,,(Re: Letter "Health Insurance on E-mail, " QN

No. 27, Autumn '97)

I was a member of the French Military Police be-fore working for VHO for 13 years 8 months. \7henI retired I was assured that my health insurance premi-um would be based on my years of service. As every-one knows, this has not been the case. I gave up mymilitary health insurance, opting for the'§fHO plan,and cannot be reinstated. Thus, I consider the \ÿHOpremiums - based on 30 years of service - especiallyunjust.

-Fernand Page

Annemasse, France

PENSIONER.FRIEN DLY

I read with great interest the Summer (No. 22,'95) and'W'inter (No. 24 '95-6) issues of the QuarterlyNeuts which were kindly provided to me by a \7HOpensioner.

This publication, well presented and informative,addresses various concerns and situations encounteredby pensioners. I would very much appreciate to be puton the distribution list. This would extend our know-ledge of our pensioners' concerns, and eventually allowus to provide additional information or solutions toqueries.

In the Spring issue, an article deals with the an-nual Certificate of Entitlement (CE). You might wishto draw the attention of your readers to the fact that, if

page 7

they fear to be late, they can always address themselvesto us in the Palais des Nations (Room 300-14, tel.9l73233) to handle their CEs.

Having at hand all the necessary technologicaltools and also ready access to the Central Funds' re-cords for all pensioners, we shall be pleased to addressany type of concern encountered, e.g., producing atte-stations, changing payment instructions or addresses,furnishing information.

Please feel free to invite your readers to resort tous in case of need. Our faciliqy to communicate bothin English and French might be welcome.

-Gilbert Ferrari

(Chief Geneua OficeUN Joint StaffPension Fund)

(Added to tlte mailing list, uith rnuch phasure.

-Editor)

No..CRUMBS,, FoR HIM

It is I 2 years since I retired after 22 years of ser-vice. In 1962, when I joined'§fHO, we were the flagcarriers of malaria eradication. 'W'e

persuaded countryafter country to join in this venture into the future,promising them the sky, and they all did.

By 1968, it was evident the battle could not bewon. In Malaysia (population 18 million), where I wasposted, we had 13 malaria consultants. '§7'hen I left in1984, there \Mere none. Many attributed it to resis-tance in the mosquito and in the parasite. This wasnot the only reason. §7'hat proved to be feasible inpilot projects could not be duplicated in the field. \We

then changed terminology, from eradication to integra-ted control, to "tactical variânts" and finally to malariacontrol for the foreseeable future. So my last i0 yearswere frustrating, spent going through motions.

Although it was hard to give up \7'HO, and Ihad hoped that the retiremenr age would be increasedto 62 during my service, I am h"ppy that I retired.Those of us who retired in Third Vorld countries witha tax free pension, can live comfortably

- especially

with children all independent. So why wait for STCcrumbs to fall from the table of the Regional Office orGeneva. After all, what can we do no\ /, that we couldnot do while in service. '§7'e would go and write a nicereport, with nothing happening after that.

In retirement I am working harder than before.As a Christian, my first involvemenr was with theChurch and this has led to my serving in several com-mittees of the diocese. I was invited to head my formercollege in the north, which I accepted in an honourary

page B

Wirter, N" 28

capaciry in spite of the ongoing war.

It was a rewarding and satisÿing rwo and a halfyears. I am vice President of the Ceylon Bible Sociery,Council Member of Help Age Sri lanka and a directorof a business appliances company, where I work almostfull time ât my own pace as and when I like. I still findtime to play nine holes of golf about five times a week.

It keeps me happy and healthy. So life after\fHO for me has been satisÿing. If my call comes to-morrow, I will be h"ppy to go, knowing that I havedone something worthwhile.

-E.S. Thevasagayam, M.D.

(former IX/H O staff rnem ber I 962 -54)Colombo, Sri Lanka

ANEUnySM AND ASSURANCEI am enjoying the Quarterly News, not least be-

cause of the news of former colleagues, but I write toinform readers about my recent treâtment of an abdo-minal aortic aneurysm, and to praise our health insur-ance.

Aneurysm of the lower end of the aorta is nowbeing treated by precisely positioning a metal insert,called a "stent" inside the affected part, which, withvideo assistance, is introduced through one of the fe-moral arteries. This avoids opening the abdomen andreplacement of the affected section, and cuts downhospital stây to 4-6 days. The stent is made of specialmetal, Nitinol, and has to be of exact dimensions, cal-culated by a CT scan and computer. An experiencedteem

- surgeon, radiologist and anaestherisr - pro-vides great comfort of mind, which I had.

Nothing comes cheap these days and so impor-tant for comfort of mind (and convalescence) is the as-

surance that one need not worry on this account. Aphone call to the Staff Health Insurance, Geneva resul-ted in an immediate fax to the U.K. hospital confirm-ing \MHO liabiliry to the extent of regulations. In duecourse, the invoice from the hospital was submittedand settled without any problems.

Other expenses, settled by me, were all duly re-imbursed and as a happy surprise

- the icing on the

cake, as it were -

I \ffas informed that I qualified for a"catastrophic expenses" benefit.

I take this opportunity to pay tribute to the SHIfor the prompt, friendly and fulsome assistance.

-Desmond Nugent

(fo rm e r ÿ V/R AF RO / S EARO )Cheam, Surrey, UK

Winter. N" 28

News of the Association of Formet WHA

CALL FoR LoNG.TERM HEALTHLong-term health care is a subject of concern to

all of us. It is also one into which former \ÿHO staffcould have a specially useful input and so one \Morrhairing in the Quarterly News.

Government social services ere failing us

- where they even exist -

and the commercialschemes that have been set up to fill the gap are nor al-ways trustworthy. Many people in Britain who rrans-ferred to pension schemes run by the big insurancecompanies have found themselves much worse off, andsome firms have been fined for fraudulent salesman-ship.

Companies specializing in private health care arenow offering policies for long-term health care. Unfor-tunately, a recent "'\Vatchdog" television programme(which investigates commercial products and services)revealed that some policy-holders had been refusedbenefits for specious reasons. Fortunately, the deci-sions were reversed once attenrion had been focused onthem.

This is clearly a field in which people could setup their own cooperatives, and U.N. staff are ideallyplaced to do so. As a srarr, we could ask members ofour association to give their views and proposals on thissubject. These could be forwarded to AAFI/AFICSand CCAQ.

If former international civil servanrs cen opentheir own bank (AMFIE) in Luxemburg, it should notbe beyond them to establish their own long-termhealth care cooperative.

( c h i c h e s t e r, *-j :!;,i ;i;é

THe Drsueu Sue.JEcrs(Re: "Information Please'i Q.N. 27, Autumn

1996)

This is in response ro the Editor's requesr forwhat was described as rhe "dismal subjects." In theU.K. on any estate, 1200,000 is exempt from the pay-ment of "death dury", which is called an InheritanceTax.

\With regard to a married couple, no rex is pay-able on the demise of the first spouse provided that

-after the distribution of legacies - the residue of the

estate is left to the surviving spouse.

On the second death, again the first f200,000will be exempt. However, any residue is taxed at 40per cent, that is 40 pence in the pound. This meansthat a total of €400,000 of an esrare can be exempt

-if arrangements are made in advance.

It may be, of course, that the couple feel theywould rather wait for the survivor to detèrmine whe-ther or not enough capital remains to allow for an ade-quate "quality of life," and therefore that they limittheir legacies following the first death.

In this eventuality, the law provides that the sur-viving spouse can, within rwo years of the first death,further distribute legacies, from the first will, up ro a

total of 1200,000. This ensures the survivor's siruationand the advantage of fully utilising the tax exemptionon the joint estate.

-Bill Barton, MD(formerly STD)

Exmoutlt, Deuon, UK

THeruxs FRov "OZuThank you for the coverage you gave ro my

paintings exhibit in the last rwo issues of the QuarterlyNews.I am also grateful to the many who were so help-ful to me during the weeks of preparation before theoPenlng.

It goes to show colleagues, both former and serv-ing, are still for each other, and that is so comforting.

-J"dy Dahl-Hansen

(formerly EHE)N edknds,

.Wes tern Aus tra lia

IN MeuoRtAM

. Victoria Stereva

Although several monrhs have passed since Vic§Stereva's death, she still remains in the memory of allthose who knew her. She joined \7HO in its earlydays proudly saying she was No. 47 on the staff list,and so was involved in its growth and developmenr.She retired in 1978 as Technical Assistant, HMD. \7ewill remember her forthright characrer, her warm-hearted loyalry to her friends and her devotion to\7HO.

After her retirement, Vicky delighted in joiningme for long walks in the beautiful countryside where Ilive. '§7e also spent many hours working in and enjoy-ing my garden, where she would sometimes settledown with cenvâs and brush to paint some delightfulpictures.

May these few words bring back thoughts of a

well-cherished friend and colleague.

-Eveline'§ÿatts(formerly Admin.,4ssistant, HM D)Bonuard, Geneua

page 9

Winter, N"

. Evelyne Corpataux

Lured by a "golden handshake" Evelyne Corpa-taux took early retirement in 1993, Ieaving PUB dis-tinctly poorer for her departure. Her radiant smilewhen she visited us showed that she had no regretseven though she returned to work voluntarily for PUB.

Evelyne joined §fHO in 1959, with spells inCopenhagen, HQ, Brazzaville, and then HQ again.Her time with PUB began in 1967, with interruptionsto take up a scholarship at Moscow Universiry and a

lengthy period working for ADGs, during which she

served on the staff of the International Conference onPrimary Health Care in Alma-Ata USSR, in 1978.

Her sharp eye for authors' and printers' errors,her hard work and stamina, her talent for meticulousresearch, her knowledge of \WHO's ins and ours, andher wry humour are greatly missed. She passed away inSwitzerland, on 16 March 1997 at age 62.

-Daüd Thompson

(formerly Chi€f PUB)Excerptedfom HBI Neuts

. John Francis CarneyJr

Of East \Wilmington, N.C. John Carney Jrserved \fHO from 1960 to 1980 in Geneva, Manila,Brazzaville and Alexandria in budget and finance. Hislast assignment was in headquarrers, Geneva, as Chieffinance and accounts.

John was born on 28 Septemb er lg20 in 'W'or-

cester, Mass. He served in the U.S. Nary during§7orld'War II, beginning an inrernational career afterthe war. He died on 22 January 1997 at age 77. Johnwas well liked and will be missed by his many friends.

Our thoughts and sympathy go to his wife,Doreen, and his family.

-Henry Kattan

(fo rm er ly I n tern a l .4u di )Geneua

Iu rxe PREss

WoRKING LoNGER VsLEEVING EARLIER

In some countries the package of measures to en-courage early retirement has led to involuntary retire-ment. Despite legislation ro prorecr older workers,there is an increased risk of e nforced retire ment or dis-missal, the Office of Economic Cooperation and Deve-lopment, Paris, says. Older workers may feel pressuredto leave work and will take compensation: they havelittle choice as to how and when to leave.

Though many would prefer a gradual transitionfrom work to retiremenr, most move straight into re-tirement; only a minoriry go through a period of light-er, or pârt-time, work that makes a bridge berween car-eer jobs and full rerirement.

A number of countries have recently introducedpolicies to encourage older people ro sray in the work-force longer. For example, Germany and the UnitedStates have tightened the conditions for early pensions;voluntary early retirement schemes have been disconti-nued in France, Germany and the United Kingdom;and eligibiliry conditions for disability pensioni havebeen tightened in the Netherlands and Sweden.

"Transition from'§7ork to Retirement"

-Social Poliry Studies No. 16

ÇSG/COM/PUB(96)30, 5 April 1996)

BOIIruET IN THE RINCFormer Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland

has declared her candidacy to be the next head of§7HO in 1998

Brundtland, a medical doctor and Harvard-edu-cated public health specialist, said she would head theU.N. agency if she was ofTèred the job.

"My background is not just as a docror, but alsoin public health administration, so this is a matter tharis close to my heart," Brundtland said in a televisioninterview on Sunday, 6 April.

After more than a decade as an influential andpopular politician, Brundtland, 57, stepped down as

Prime Minister last October. She had formed a totalof four governments by then. Brundtland burst onrothe international scene when she lead the U.N. \7orldCommission on the Enveronment and Development.

(Excerpted fom A. P. News)

(See also "Hat in the Ring", p. 6 )(Achnowlzdgements: The Executiue Group thanhs those who haue

madz poxible tbis issue, especially Peter Ozorio (Editor), Rajindar Pal(Chairman), Yues Beigbeder, John Bland, Ali Hussein; and seruing

colleagues Jim Duppenthaler, Jean Leclercq, and other translators;

abo Marianne King. Layout by Humphrey Matthey, Glasgow.

The opinions of the News are tbose of the autbors, notnecessarilv of AFSM.)

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