Medical centre
UNESCO's Medical Service offers staff preventive medical advice and assistance. The Service is an important agent for improving health at work. Its mission is to:
- encourage preventive medical monitoring;
- respond to emergencies;
- look after the health and well-being of staff in the workplace;
- test abilities to perform duties;
- lead awareness campaigns in the workplace;
- help manage the Medical Benefits Fund and staff absences (sick leave, maternity leave);
- conduct medical consultations comprising diagnosis, treatment and, if necessary, orientation towards a specialist or adapted hospital structure;
- provide a full-time on-site nurse and (or) doctor to give health advice before missions and/or respond to any unexpected health issue that arises;
- organize the medical evacuation of members of staff in the field, if necessary.
The Medical centre Fontenoy is opened from 9 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. without interruption. (second floor yellow wing)
For information or for a medical appointment, please call : 80867
IN CASE OF MEDICAL EMERGENCY please call : 80222 (UNESCO Fire brigade)
Medical Visits
The Medical Service is open to all members of staff, consultants, supernumeraries, interns, delegations and staff of other United Nations agencies.
Consultations are by appointment: Please call 80867 (Fontenoy) or 83231 (Miollis)
Emergencies and nursing care do not require an appointment.
On arrival at the Medical Service, you will be seen by a nurse who will refer you to the appropriate health professional. Various kinds of medical information (brochures, on-screen information) are available in the waiting room.
Location and visiting times
Medical Service at Fontenoy:
- at the far end of the Yellow Wing, 2nd Floor;
- open, without interruption, from 9 a.m to 6:30 p.m
Medical Service at Miollis:
- ground-floor
- open, without interruption, from 9 a.m to 4.30 p.m
Doctors at Unesco:
Chief Medical Officer
Medical Officer
Gynaecologist – consultations on Tuesday morning
Psychiatrist – consultations on Wednesday afternoons
Emergency
In case of emergency at Headquarters
- Sudden fainting
- Accident
- Beginning of Fire
Dial 18 or 80222 from a landline (Do not use your mobile)
You will reach the emergency service (fire service) of the Organization.
Communicate:
- location of the person suffering the emergency (building, floor, office or room number)
- nature of fainting/accident
The rescue team will arrive in the shortest time frame. Medical Service will be informed if necessary and ready to help.
In case of emergency outside Headquarters (in France)
Dial: 15 (Emergency medical help service “SAMU”)
Or: 18 (Fire Brigade of Paris) Medical emergency, Fire, Accident)
Screening and prevention
Screening and prevention are key elements for a good physical and mental condition. The Medical Service draw your attention on the following issues (More issues coming soon).
If you, or someone close to you, should have chest pain with one or several following characteristics:
- pain throughout the chest (not localized in one spot or on one side);
- a sensation of “weight on the chest”, “crushing” or a “tightness” (sometimes coinciding with pain in the arms or jaws);
- continuous (not shooting) pain, causing discomfort and preventing any further effort (one is no longer able to walk);
you must:
- if the pain lasts for less than two minutes, consult a doctor promptly and describe the pain to him/her;
- if the pain lasts for more than two minutes, call or have someone call the public emergency services for an immediate consultation (dial 15 or 18 in the host country).
In all cases, only a doctor, on the basis of an electrocardiogram (even additional examinations) can confirm whether or not the pain was linked to coronary insufficiency (inadequate oxygenation of the heart can lead to a heart attack).
There are two types of skin cancer :
- Carcinoma or epitheliomia: cancer of the upper epidermis, which is generally caused by exposure to sunlight.
- Basocellular carcinoma is the most frequent skin cancer. Its slow progression may be highly destructive; however, its malignancy remains localized.
- Spinocellular carcinoma is particularly serious on account of the possibility of it spreading to the lymph nodes. It may appear on existing subcutaneous lesions such as burn scars, for example.
- Melanoma is the most dangerous of all skin cancers because it may spread.
Beware! A beauty spot whose appearance changes, in some or other or a dark spot, regardless of its size, which suddenly appears on healthy skin, should quickly be brought to the attention of a doctor and, if there is the slightest doubt, dermatological advice should be sought. Two thirds of melonamas occur on healthy skin without pre-existing beauty spots!
Appropriate treatment, by surgical removal, depends on early diagnosis. If detected late, a melanoma, whose severity depends on its thickness, may, even if it has been removed, re-occur locally or give rise to transitional, lymph node metastases and then visceral metastases.
Ninety per cent of melanomas can be cured if treated when they first appear. Exposure to ultraviolet sunlight is considered to be a major contributory factor.
Excessive consumption of alcohol can, as you know, have an impact on your health and affect your personal and professional life.
As part of its prevention activities, the Medical Service invites you to take stock of your own consumption.
Towards responsible consumption test yourself by answering this questionnaire to be printed.
Are your vaccinations up to date ?
Even if you don't travel, some vaccinations must be had or renewed.
Recommended vaccinations depend on the country where you live.
We recommend you come to the Medical Service or see your doctor to check. (If you have one, please bring your immunization card)
This simple step can save your life.
