This document is unofficial, and intended for information purposes only.

1. Aim.  The aim of this document is to provide information to Regional Organizations, International Organizations (R/IO), and Member States (MS) concerning the developing Level Two Hospital Project: “Strengthening Medical Partnerships”.

2. Concept. The project concept is based on encouraging R/IO to become involved in cooperation with the United Nations Stand-by Arrangements System (UNSAS). The United Nations (UN) would provide a Level Two Hospital to the designated lead Nation in a R/IO. The R/IO will coordinate the training of staff on the hospital equipment. The desired end state is a Level Two Hospital staffed by personnel from some or all of the MS of a R/IO who have had training on working together, as a unit. The staff should be deployable to a UN mandated Peacekeeping or Humanitarian Operation under the UNSAS, and with Strategic Deployment Stocks (SDS) equipment. There is potential to provide Level Two Hospitals to several R/IO.

3. Factors.  Terms of Reference (TOR) are being developed, and will be based on the following factors:

a. The hospitals have been donated to the UN by Sweden, and will remain, UN owned.
b. The hospitals will be upgraded with technical equipment provided by the UN paralleling SDS standard.
c. Hospital infrastructure includes catering, accommodation and hygiene facilities (excluding toilets) at a basic level.
d. Costs associated with the Project will be specified in the TOR as being the responsibility of the appropriate R/IO, or a specific mentor (sponsor).

4. Responsibilities – Sweden.

a. Sweden has donated the hospitals to the UN. (Annexes 1-4)
b. Sweden will prepare the hospital for shipping.
c. Sweden will assist in training and the first set up of the hospital in the R/IO.
 

5. Responsibilities – United Nations.

a. The UN will arrange for transport of the hospital to the point of deployment agreed with the R/IO, however the cost of transportation from Sweden to the designated lead nation will be borne by the R/IO or a sponsor (where applicable).
b. The UN will ensure that the hospital is upgraded to the required technical standard.
c. The UN will conduct staff assistance visits, periodic asset inspections, or pre-deployment visits, as deemed necessary by the UN.
d. Except for training, the hospital/hospital staff will be deployed only as the result of a UN mandate.
e. The UN will coordinate potential hospital/hospital staff deployments to Peacekeeping/Humanitarian Operations with the Secretariat, or governing body, of the R/IO.
f. The UN will arrange transport for the hospital/hospital staff, to the mandated mission area.
g. Upon deployment to a Peacekeeping/Humanitarian Operation, participating MS will be reimbursed in accordance with standard procedures for troop contribution and Self Sustainment (where applicable).
h. The UN will review training standards.
i. The UN will keep the R/IO apprised of potential deployment scenarios.

6. Responsibilities – Regional / International Organization.

a. The R/IO will designate a lead nation from among its MS. The lead nation will hold the hospital.
b. The R/IO is responsible for the costs associated with the training of its MS’ personnel; specifically, travel, rations and quarters.
c. The R/IO (or the sponsoring nations if so agreed) is responsible for the maintenance of the hospital.
d. The R/IO (or the sponsoring nations if so agreed) is responsible for costs related to the purchase of drugs, consumables or supplies used in training.
e. The R/IO will keep the UN informed of the status of the hospital, and its associated personnel.

7. Responsibilities – Mentors (sponsors) To facilitate UN control, maintenance and training, a deployed hospital should have a number of mentoring nations, to support the efforts of the regional organization in which the hospital is deployed, and to offer control and maintenance on behalf of the UN.

8. Process. The Secretariat will informally consult with R/IO, and provide briefings. Interested R/IO will obtain consensus from their members, and designate a lead nation. Informal consultations will determine specific responsibilities. The normal Contingent Owned Equipment (COE) process will be followed. COE negotiations will lead to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). A MOU will be signed between R/IO and lead nation and another one between UN and R/IO. Notes Verbale (NV) will be exchanged between the UN, the R/IO, and MS. Following deployment of the hospital training will be conducted, on a regular and agreed basis, under the auspices of the R/IO.

9. Deployment.

a. The final decision whether to actually deploy the hospital/hospital staff by the R/IO remains an UN decision.
b. The hospital/hospital staff may be deployed only following a mandate by the Security Council in support of a Peacekeeping Operation, or UN mandated Humanitarian Operation / natural disasters relief. In this case, the R/IO shall deploy with hospital drawn from the SDS (or in exceptional cases) with the hospital pre-deployed. Costs related to a UN Peacekeeping / Humanitarian Operation will be supported by UN.

10. Rotation.

a. Relocation of the hospital/hospital staff within UN Peacekeeping Operation area is UN responsibility and will follow to negotiations between UN and R/IO. Costs will be UN responsibility.
b. R/IO might decide the relocation of the hospital to another lead nation, following consultations with UN only. Relocation of hospital for training reasons, inside the R/IO is allowed, following UN approval. Costs will be R/IO responsibility.
c. Relocation of staff for training purposes is an internal issue of R/IO.

11. Redeployment / Liquidation. The contract may be terminated at any time by either party, subject to a period of notification of not less than six months to the other party.

12. Timeline.  The offer from Sweden to donate the hospitals expires at the end of 2003.