‘al -MARSHALL ISLANDS JOURNAL Volume 14, Number 70 Kriday, September 2, 1983 peccerineens Seley Thee v1 ate ae errs arene f rn a eae ae ee a aie DATE id ie ia SAE OS, ee ee) Oe Page 13 ., rT i ie ln, : art f Radiation Illness Widespread _ The purpose of thisarticle is to describe The reason Dr. Hamilton began these health care of all the Marshall Islanders the medical evaluation program of the. examinations in June, 1983 was because — it has never conducted health care surhe began to find a large number of preMarshall Islands Atomic Testing Litigation veys and examinations of all the people. ou Meee ly Dr. Thomas Hamilton, M.D., Ph.D, is a medical consultant to MIATLP m” Mm*, ce a rm prheeae eros ape et CR Lea Paes 7 eee OF ae PS? NY STE Te ae ee A Z a viously undiagnosed thyroid tumors on also it has never done a complete, in- &% people living in Majuro who were all dependent, radiological survey of all the and has been performing complete medi- ‘from the northern Marshall Islands listed .islands and atolls. Therefore no one cal evaluations on Marshallese people above, This suggested the possibility that knows how many of the istands are con- rf N radiation from nuclear fallout from the since November of 1982. The purpose of taminated by radioactive materials and 1954 Bravo explosion (and possibly some these evaluations is to detect radiation no one knows how many people suffer} injuries, however, this can be done ade- of the other 65 explosions between 1946 from illness caused by nuclear testing. quately ONLY if complete medical eval- and 1958) may have contaminated many The government of the United States fF atolls other than Enewetak, Rongelap, uations are performed. Therefore all has admitted that the atolls of Enewe- Fi and Utirik. It will take at least another 6 medical proglems are diagnosed whether tak, Bikini, Rongelap, and Utirik were § they are radiation related or whether — .to 8 months to complete these examinaaffected. We had seen enough medical # tions on the people from the above named they are not radiatian related. The comproblems on the other atolls to fear that plete evaluations are performed in Maju-- atolls. However, the preliminary informathe problem was much more widespread. F: ro; each individual person has a 2-3 hour ‘tion shows a large number of thyroid tuWe are sorry to see that Dr. Hamilton’s & evaluation which includes completing a mors as well a numberof othersignifi- . preliminary findings suggest that this is 8, true. These findings should cause the Uni- & medical questionngire, talking with the cant medical problems which were undoctor, a complete physical examination, diagnosed and untreated. The purpose in ted States to immediately start radiologic- f and laboratory tests. Finally, a medical al and medical surveys of all the islands identifying these people on these atolls report is prepared and a copy is included with these problems is to recommend and all the people so that those affected as a permanent part of each person’s that they be referred to see Dr. Hamil- can be treated and so that further injury — hospital record. In addition, a copy of ton for a complete evaluation in Majuro. from contaminated atoils or poisoned food can be prevented. this report is provided. to the MIATLP At the completion of the examination “1ch surveys are needed now. They sho- | attorneys. People who have serious on each atoll, a list of the people recommedical problems are immediately referruld not await the outcomeof plebiscites § mended for complete evaluations is given of all the Micronesian countries. Nor ed by Dr. Hamilton to either local phyto the health aide as well as copies to th« sicians or in some cases are presented to mayor and senator from each atoll or to . should they be postponed the many f years it may take before the United States the Referral. Committee for referral to local leaders on Ebeye. Congress acts on the Compact of Free honolulu. In each case a copy of Dr, HaNearly 2000 people, including children_ Association even if it is approvedbythe_ milton’s report is provided to the physiciProject. an.Fverv.individuelbas «final annain Sepa te OF ees ow eee