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of the Association of Former WIIO Staffworld Healtb organisation, cH-1211 Geneua, sttitzerland, ( Fax : 791 07 46 )

A;t Aniùal ReCèp1î,ôn, Friday, Zf Woaeinbe:i tgg?

'WHOLE RANGE OF POSSIBILITIES'

So^-,S of you ."ay Pg experiencing tharcommon te€Ung as one gets older:

The years seem to be passing more and morequicidy. ÿe can do nothine àboutiuch a subiectiveÊelin§ of time; but we .r, Jo a lot ro ensure th"t oottime is filled with meaningfrrl activities.

that formei staff ôan provide, and are alreadÿproüding, to the smooth-running of 'WHO, in thesâdays of financial difficulry. I am-delighted that yourÂsiôciàtion is consideriire mobilizià'e former itaffmembers for voluntary wo"rk. I have Ëeen informedthat about 100 members have declared theirwillingrress to help WHO in this way.

, I çan see, a whole range of possibilities forfor-mgr staffi from preparing bickgroùnd docurnents,to helping to.organize meetings and -- why not - toParucrpaung rn country mrssrons.

I feel confidenr üar, whatever your expertise,you can help to ensure that essential work is carriedout, and that you can make a valuable contributionto preserving'W'HO's "insrirutional memorf'. Intni tife of aiy organization new blood is eslenrial,but so too are conünuity and experience.

The year that has passed has been full ofsocial upheaval, conflict-and natural disasters,resuldng in much human suffering. Demands forUnited Nations acrion have increaseâ, and ttre sysremis responding, within its mandate and its finâncialconstraints. In this era of world-wide trànsition,WHO will have to adapt irs methods of,,work;, andmode'of action, if it iniends tô maintain irs place,and intensify its role, as rhe direcring andco ôrdinating aüthoriÿ o n international tiealth îo rk

The next few years will be exciting andchalleneine, but also difficult. Suooorted Ëv the§fHOf àevoted staff, and alôi with youtcollaboration, I intend to take up that challénee,helping to shape the world in hârmony with ôirrmission and our principles.

But tonight, as we near the end of the 1par,Iet us turn our minds to family and friends. I wishyou all a joyous festive season, for yourselves and foryour families; and health and happiness to y,ou all in1993.

Hiroshi Nakajima M,D., PA.D.' Directo;r..General, ly/HO

ln thôs àssue :

Invited Author ......... 2 Tom Srrasser's Corner 4Changes, Changes, Changes ....... 2 Lifesryles 4The New Team ........ 2 lnthe Press 5Stop Press 3 Leüers .......... 5Now It's Official ..,... 3

îî..=t [s

bwôteil Au.thor

COOPERATING FOR DEVELOPMENT

To achieve the god of developmenr, coop€ration between many panicipants is essential, pardcularly

those from multilateral development agencies such as our own, permanent missions or embassies, the capials ofindustrialized and developing counrries, and nongovernmental organizations, private institutions and

foundations.

The science of development has nor yet been born, aithough üere is agreement on a few broad issues

such as it should be sustainable and health is an integral part of development. Many questions remain,

however, with a key one being which agency should "coordinate" the actions of the others along a commonly

agreed patl. International debates continue in the hope of finding enswers to such questions, and many people

believe that funds will determine a solution.

'§fHO cannor respond fi.rlly to the demands made on it, and therefore play its rightfi.rl role in the

developmenr process, by relying solely on the funds available from assessed contributions. Extra-budgetary

suppoft is consequently sought, with more and more programmes competing with one another for scarce

resources. At a time when the organization has to be more competitive, both within and outside the U.N.

sysrem, grearer effons will have to be made to rationalize the internal compedtion so that'WHO's priorities are

clearly indicated to those who pay the bills.

Cooperation begins at

bemer dialogue c:m take place.

home; former and active staff should promote those conditions where an even

Ron AndersonChief Ofi.ce of External Coordinaüon

CHANGES, CHANGES (MORE)

)

The following are rec€nt staffappointments:Human Rcproductiofl'Dr P.F.A. Van Look formerlyresponsible for research and development, has been

designated Acdng Director of the Special Programme

on Research, Development and Research Training inHuman Reproduction (HRP). (He succeeds Dr M.F.

Fathalla, now a former staff member.)

.UDS . Dr Peter Piot has been appointed fusociate

Director, Global Programme on AIDS (GPA),

responsible for sexually transmitted diseases. He was

forme rly Professor of Microbiology and Head,Department of Microbiology, Institute of TropicalMedicine, Annveqp.. Dr Svein-Erik Ekeid, formerly Responsible Officer

for GPA, EURO, has been appointed as Chiefi, Officeof Cooperadon with National Programmes.

Director-General. Mr Namio Takagi has been

appointed as Adviser on Policy Cooperation (DGO).

THE NEW TEAMThe following members were elected or coopted to the Executive Group:

GeneralSecretury:,asistottGoæml§qrs:Treasurer:Assîstant Treasurer :SocialAcrtûties:Menbers:

. Stanislas Flache

. RoæmaryBell, ' Rajindarlàl

. Joseph Chang-\ù{ailing

. Margaret Baker

. Carlo Fedeler Yves Beigbeder; . Gerard Dazin, 'Georges Esatoglu,. Warren Fumh, . Robemo Maisroni, ' Victorino Tomassi,. Alain Vessereau, . Richard'§Tilson

_ STOP PRESS -Mark your calenders now for J p.m.. wednesday. l0 Februa{v lggs. ILo.

srt!ei[iii:i]:$'.îii:i#tx'ff ,H'*:lrnf ]r*ffiff "i::txË,i,..tr:Barton, Emmaîuel and Garret-Jones.

The session is open to tlre public. (Collilæ offtce 791 31tB u cor{trm it e itde. - Editor )

NOW IT'S OFFICIAL

Association members heard it firsr, a year ago.At the l99l annual reunion, the D-G called uponformer staff to volunteer their services. In response,the Association sent a circular to members. To datesome 106 responses have been received.

Now it's official: A new text has been insertedin the Manual (Section II.16) oudining procedures forthe recruitmenr nor only of volunteers but also ofinterns. Deails:

Volunteers: Carry out specific jobs on \ü7HO

premises under supervision of serving colleagues.

They are provided office accommodation andother facilities by rhe technical unit.

A formal agreemenr is normally concluded byan exchange of lemers with terms of reference preparedby personnel and signed by both parties.

fnterns: Are normally persons engaged in ahealth-related course of study leading tu qualification.'§7'ork ranges from a minimum of six weeks to amaximum of three monrhs, with extension. Relativesof serving staffare not eligible.

The unit receiving the inrern is required toprovide an outline of the proposed duties, and is alsoresponsible for the development of a relevantprogramme of learning. In addition, the unit isresponsible for providing office accommodation forthe intern and should also liaise with rhe Libraryduring the planning pluse of the assignment if it is

anticipated that bibliographic research will comprisepart of the duties.

Interns have to aubmit an overall report oftheir experience ro Personnel at the conclusion of the

internship.All volunreers musr be covered by the group

accident insurance policy raken our by'tUfrHO.Premiums (average $1.50 a day) must be paid by thetechnical unic. (Ash for Inf Circular 93 for moredctails.)

Anrutal General Meetông

"The staff dernands that recruitment bebanned for retired staff members wlto receiue a fullpmsion based on 25 years of soaice."

So put off by what he saw in this part of a

resolution, presented to the Annual General Meetingof the \fHO Staff Association, rhar former stafferPeter Davies blew off steam in the best way he knowshow

- by cartooning.Thankfully the text was dropped. But the

intent to discriminare again$ former staff remained ina revised version that was adopted (89-5-13). Theresolution was entided "Appointment of Retired StaffMembers." (Full story in natisszr a/News)

page I

Tbm Strasser's Corrler

ANDROPAUSE AND REI-ATED TOPICS

Andropause in males is the equivalent omenopause in females. It used to be considered amyth, until its exisrence \{/as proven recently bybiological investigarions. The term covers a complexpattern of symptoms, observed in men around thesixth decade of life, related to the âll in the producrionof testosterone, rhe male sexud hormone. Qualiryandintensiry of the symproms vary considerably from oneman to another; they are equally presenr in thepsychological, behavioural, and sexual sphere.According to a recenr study, women are a\ryare of thesechanges in their parrners.

"Change" is the right word, and not "decline".It is pan of the normal aging process that inrercoursebecomes less frequenr, and that intensity of sensarions,speed of reaching an erection, and rhe force oejaculation become more moderate. Pan of the pictureis that rhe man is able ro maintain an erecdon longer,because his ejaculatory demand is reduced. This fitswell with the longer time needed for the older womanto reach the level of fi.rll excirarion, and may contributeto erotic harmony between parrners of similar age.

In shorr, age is no bar to sexual pleasure, whichmay continue well into the 70s, somerimes 80s, inboth partners. Its decreasing frequency may rendererotic pleasure ân even greater treasure. 'Well, have anice retirement!

(For balance, rhe nexr column willabout sex, age, and women. Promise!)

be

(Newsweek rnagazine replrts tbat a sociologist, at theUniuersity of Chicago, ltas "offered scientific dau to proaetbat sæ is good and plentiful euen afio 60." For accerpts,see "In trfi6 lty655't- Editor)

LIFESTYLES

Grand,parentông

Entering the grand realm of grand-parentingare Dr Inayat Khan, formerly chiefi, psychotropicdrugs, and wife Shemin, thanks ro sorr Haleem, hiswife, Nadia and grand-daughteq Sheima Sabrina, bornin Geneva 8 August.

Dr Rodolphe Coigney, formerly DirectorLiaison Office ar rhe United Nations, here in Ocober:n route to Paris to preside over the annrrel assembly oFormer medical officers of the Free French army.stopped over ro see old friends, he says, and expresslto pay fusociation dues.

Ang thôn g b ut "Retôr e d)'

Joe Chang-\7'ailing, formerly Ombudsman aauditor, and now newly-elected Treasurer, is alsmanagement adviser for the '§7orld Organizatioagainst Tomure, Geneva. From'§7HO ro'§7OI, what!

'lü(/.arren Furth, formerly ADG, is nowdirector of American Citizens Abroad, and a movinforce in the successful campaign that kept openU.S. Consulate in Geneva.

His ei<perience is set our in a short piece dtle"W'ltat to Do If Your Consulate Is at Rish'l ptUtisnea i

ACA's Ocrober newsleme! which is edited by servicolleague Naalie Domeisen, ERO.

(Note to Readss: A wedd.ing in your family?blesced et)ent? A succes? An interested project? Sendnewsworthy items, and we'll pass them along. Sbared jare joys doublzd. - Editor)

Heahh ôn the Comôc Strips

Jusc out is a publicadon, supporred by §fHOshowing health in the comic srrips, reports EiliLiisberg, former editor of Vorld Heahb arndHealth Journal. "k's funny; its incisive", he says"already commenred upon by BBC and Frencl

In Toum

television."

from desirable to detesmble:

. And in 1988,Luke, earned a medal

Cigarettes have iong been a part of comistrips, but üe perception of the weed has changed .

. Ranilla a Mexican caballero, ar the mrnrhe century attributed his strengrhs to Caprichos,"cigar of cigars" r}rat "cooled the throat".

. Tintin, in 1938 far ahead of the times saidin "King Ottohar's Sceptre": "Thanks, I don't smoke.,,

Morris, the creator offrom'§7'HO for taking rh

(J

cigareme out of his hero's mourh and replacing it witha stra\M.

The publication, " La Santé dans les BandesDesinées," is by Philippe Videlier and Pierine Piras(Edi tio ns Fris on-Ro c he/C B R$.

TAX REIMBURSED

After two years of correspondence, Mr Shaw§Bishara, who lives in Segny, France has beenreimbursed for income tax levied on earnings as aconsultant reüoactive to 1984.

He was hit with a rax bill of some FF 97 000by tax authorities in 1990, seven years after heseparated from seryice.

His claim for reimbursernenr was supported bythe Association, the \7HO Administration and theOmbudsrnan. It is based on an Executive Boardresolution (EB9.R54) audrorizing repaymenr for taxes

on'§7HO income.

ln the Press

60, SEXY, SASSY

Analyzing U.S. national-poll data involvingnearly 6 000 respondents, Andrew Greeley a

sociologist at the Universiry of Chicago, finds that 37percent of married people over 60 have sex at least

once a week - and one in six more often than that.'\Vhat's more, Greeley says $121 56vrrally active marriedmen are happier with their spouses at 60 than 20-yar-old single males who are sleeping around.

The frequency of sex declines with age - 61percent of married people in their early 50s have sex atleast once a week. But in some ways it may also getbetter. Those who say they are happiest are marriedcouples 60 and over who have sex at least weekly.Ninery percent of these people ûnd their mares "verya$ractive physically. "

For most researchers, Greeley's good news isreally old news, but welcome nonetheless. "As wegrow older, we develop more skills, moreunderstanding of our partner, more sensitivity--thesecond language of sex," says Robert N. Butler, co-

author, with his wife, of " Sex Afier 9kry." Sor in laterlife, says Butler, includes less of "the narcissism andselÊcenteredness [thar is] pan of the earÿ instincualdrive."

It helps ro sray healthy. Various studies showthat elders who control their weight are more likely toremain sexually acrive. So are those who exerciseregularly. Although older men take longer to achievean erection, "rhe man as he ages is able to last iongerin intercourse," says sex therapist'§Tilliam Young,director of the Masters Ec Johnson Institute in St.Louis, Missouri. "Thar's a good thing, because ittakes the female a litde longer ro respond."

- Kennetû L. §floodward with Iüren Springen(Excerpæd fron Newsweek, Sept 7'92)

ALZHEIMER DRUG

A new study on tacrine, a drug for Alzheimer'sdisease, shows that it may help vicrims regain somememory loss and ease other symptoms, researchershave reponed in the Journal of the American Medical,4ssociation.

"It's extremely positive news for the drug,"said E. Peter'Wolf, a spokesman for Parke-Davis,which makes tacrine under the trade name Cogner<.

But Patrick Coll, a specialist in geriatricmedicine in Hartford, Connecticur, said, "This is

going to need a lot more research before any kind ofconclusion can be reached."

Reuters, 11 Nou '92

Letters

(Unless stated to the contrary letters are roatinebconsidered for publicaüon t0 encTurdge an exchange ofuiews.

-Editor)

NEWS 'NOT CORRECT

Re: "'fhe Nodonal Appeal" (in the Summerissue, No. 10) is meant to be a brief and fair summaryof the arguments provided to the Tiibunal by theparties in the case (of increases in health insurancepremiums).

page 5

The arguments by the Administration are notin fact correctly stated, and one may question theattempt to do so, given dre complexiry of the issues inthe case which is still sub-.iudice. In the final analysis,

tÀe quesdon is one of fair sharing, and all parties willhave to abide by the finding of the Tribunal.

Anthony PielLegal Counsel

(Surefi the anempt to rendrr into by language

euen cornPlex issues must be unquestioned -particcularly if the attempt is balanced. Howeuer, the

News /oes re?resent a point of uiew - that of formerstaff

Its pages are o?en, of course, to a staternent fromtbe Legal Counsel that would set straight tbe allegedincorrectness. The issues of sab-jud.ice and fairness are

addressed below by the ,4ssociation's General Secretary. -Editorl

INCREASES UNFAIR

'We are challenging a system of healthinsurance contributions which we regard as inherendyunfaiç since it assesses the contributions of one groupof insured persons on the basis of an imaginaryincome that bears no relation to their actual means.

'\)ÿ'e have drawn attendon to the unfairness of

assessing pensioners on their gross pension (i.e. pre-

tax) while assessing serving staff on their netremuneration (i.e. after-ax).

'§ÿ'e have also drawn aüention to the excessive

reserve fund provided for by the Staff HealthInsurance rules, which are out of line with comparablefunds and, in the view of several social securityexpefts, are aberranu

'§ü'e hope for a new reasonable approach toreduce the contribution burden for all insured persons(activc saff as well as pensioners) and, above all, at atime of financial stringency, for\ÿHO.

Our members, to whom the newsletter is

primarily addressed, are interested in knowing ofdevelopments in the case. The contested decision has

now been in effect for close on three years and itsconsequences are becoming increasingly severe underthe combined impact of the phasing-in arrangemenrs

page 6

and the progressive raising of the contribution.

Stânislas FlacheGeneral Seccretary

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

The Swiss Section of Amnesry International(AI) has a health professionals group in Geneva whichwould welcome new members and supporters who are

willing to sign appeals on a regular basis.

Membership of the AI movement andparticipation in its activities may be problematic forinrernational civil servants, but this is not the case

once üey lea.re their organization and we think üatthere may be severd people who would like to makesome personal and financial conuibution to *ris noblecause.

Members pay aî ann,ral subscription (less thanSF 100.-) and are invited to join in a number ofactivities - writing lefters, campaigning for humanrights or against torture; urgent actions such as

sending lemers or faxes concerning health professionals

in prison or prisoners whose health or life is

threatened; occasional coordination meetings.

Supporters simply give their personalundertaking to sign and send lefters, telegrams, telexes

or faxes to the authorities in different countries at therate of one "action" per montl.

These activities do not take up very muchtime. Anyone interesrcd write us.

Daniel and Françoise Flahault(94, rue dz Genèae, 1226 Thôn*/GE)

ICOMMITMENT HONOUREDI

Re: Letter from RL. Jacques ( "Low IncomePensions," Summer No. 10).

The Surveillance Commimee did not rescind a

previous decision. It agreed to reimburse medicalcosts for his wife's smy in a hospital care facility for six

months. Payment, made by'§flashington on 11 March1991, was confirmed in his letter of 14 July L992.The Committee was subsequently asked to extend

r(,

reimbursement for a fumher six months. It refrrsed theextension as approrral would not have been incompliance with the guidelines established for long-term nursing c:rre. The health insurance thereforehonoured im commitment.

Ann Van Hulle-ColbertSeoetary Hq Surueillance Committee

A GIFT, A THEFT

Enclosed please find a SF 500.- note for "lifemembership" in the Association wirh the remainderfor the general kiry to defray other expenses.

A general warning to those visidng Geneva: Iinadvenantly left my purse in the call box behind thereception desk, having phoned friends. Retuming 15minutes later, it was gone - to be found ar thereception desk minus its not unhealrhy conrent ofFrench and Swiss franCI since I was just staning myholidap.

It is easy to be forgetfi.rl in the eircitement ofmeedng old friends again but a warning might beworth while in the News.

Joan Bentlry(Formerÿ farnifi h eabh ; SEARO)

Dorset, Englznd

FAN MAIL

I regret that I am not in a position ar presenrto request life membership, but I am happy to sendyou the approximate equivalent in f sterling of theannual dues for'92-93.

Yes, I do enjoy receiving the l/razr. Thank youfor your good work and efforts on our behalfi

Daphne R. Buchan(for*ob MNH,)Bristol, Enghnd

I am pleased to enclose a SBS chequerepresendng my life contribution, ro rake effect from1993,and,a small donation of SF 80.-

J

I enjoy reading News and like knowing about

page 7

staff movements though, as rime goes bp the namesbecome less and less familiar.

Jill Forman,Vÿ'est Susex, England

Please find enclosed my dues for t992.

I do enjoy receiving the News and lookforward ro rhe nexr copy. In rhis uoubled world, it isgood to keep in touch and informed.

,r**,#fiîrfr

I do enjoy reading rhe Neus, particularÿ the"Changes, Changes" column. I appreciate the goodwork you are doing in looking after rhe interests offormer staff

Bemadete RiverrSuney, England

FRENCH PREMIUMS

Following your request (Summer issue, No.10) concerning the deduction of health insurancepremiums from taxes, I should like to inform you thatin France this is the case. They are deduced on thecondition that it is the only request for reimbursementof medical care.

Jean F.rnmanuel, M.D.Annecy, France

In reply to your quesdon concerning raxes onrevenue in France, I should like to inform you rhat\fHO health insurance premiums have always beenrecognized and deducted from the total taxes payed(indicating "no Social Securiry" before the amount ofthe premium).

Pierte Iazes (Mme)Sanaryt+ur-Mer, France

(Many thanhs for the information. -Editor).

TH E SU RVIVORS

Is it reasonable to join an Association whichpublishes only a list of deceased former staff members

and refuses to publish a list of survivors.

Is it because of an ordet modesty or shame?

Roger LeclercqParis

(Because of kck of information -Editor)

WINNERS ALL

Re: "Continuing to Contribute" (Summer No.10).

I have had on two occasions, been recruited as

a short-term consultanr (STC) by the Global AidsProgramme. I realise that with current budgetaryrestrictions this may not be possible.

However, I feel I still have much to offer. Tothis end, would it not be rvorth considering paymentof per diem only. This would at least allow volunteersto subsist wherever they might be asked to serve.

An appointment to cover per diem andüansport only would, I feel sure, satisfy all personnelregulations. There could only be winners - \ÿHOand volunteers. Count me in.

KenWaldronBrtusels, Belgium

AGAINST INCOME TAX

May I point to a serious oversight in ouractivities

- pensions being subjecr to income tax. Asserving staff, we were exempt from income-taxnegotieted with Member States. §(hy can't similarnegotiations be carried out about pensions? Have yourealised that the pensions are the only U.N. fundswhich are not free from income-tax?

It is not so much the tax itsele, as the constantfilling of complicated tax forms with endless privatequestions and declarations that affecr the pensioner.

The Association's membership will double ifyou would include among your acrivities the

unjustified paymenr of income-tax on pensions.

.d Brown, M.DEssex, England

(Seruing staff are subject to '\taff assessment,"

which is cornparable to national income tax. It is adeducüon aueraging about a third ofgross salaries. Inadàiüon, seruing U.S. colleagues also pa! d tax 0n netincorne, uhich - to auoid double taxdtirn - isreimbursed. Tb the best of our knouledge, only tutocountries - Austria and Spain - ffiern?t U.N. pensions

from income tax. -Editor.)

AT U. N. STILL WELCOME

After 15 years as a translator, I retired a. yearago. On my near daily return visits to the U.N., NewYork, my colleagues have made me feel welcome. Iknow of no orher organizadon, public or private, thataccords retirees t}re same privileges the U.N. does.

'§7ith my grounds pass I have fi.rll access to rhe

building and to many facilities. '§ÿ'hen a problemrecently came up regarding a posr-retiremententitlement, I was given a fair hearing at a number oflevels of bureaucracy. The mamer was resolved ro myfull satisfacdon. I can, and do, join clubs sponsoredby the Staff Recreation Council, and take languagecourses free ofcharge.

I can, and do, hold court in the lounges and inthe cafeteria while the whole world passes by. Couldany expensive private club be better? The U.N.bureaucracy is kinder to the departed than to theliving.

Oren Jaromles(Excerptedfrorn U.N. Secretariat News July '92)

teletEt

.lffirngt 6ân;stnms,

anil%//A?IVAIûÿear.

Aknoledgements: The Ermrtiac Gmup ùank thæ uho haw nadc pæiblethis A*umn isc, apæialÿ Pen Onrio (Min) od ÿj;ndnPalInl,out by Hunpfu Matùel, Phtï?d &Co., Gatcua

page I