At a recent townhall meeting, Secretary-General António Guterres paid tribute to UN healthcare personnel who are working to ensure the well-being of UN personnel during the COVID-19 crisis.
As of March 2020, the United Nations has 763 healthcare personnel working in various medical facilities around the world, including in headquarters and field offices delivering services to support UN personnel in their vital work.
“They are facing an enormous difficulty … whatever I can do, I’m always at (their) disposal,” Mr. Guterres told the townhall meeting, adding that while he appreciates their noble work, he is also concerned about their own health and well-being. This was an historic occasion, being the first global healthcare townhall attended by a Secretary General.
The townhall meeting, organized by the Division of Healthcare Management and Occupational Safety and Health (DHMOSH) in the Department of Operational Support, and attended by members of UN medical offices, hospitals and clinics around the world, was designed to provide the UN system healthcare workforce with information on tools available to them during the COVID-19 crisis, including plans for self-care focused on mental health and well-being, as well as an opportunity to discuss emerging and leading medical issues.