4
.

Introduction
A.

Scope and Purpose

a

%

P.L. 96-205 requires the Department of Interior (DOI) to develop an
“integrated, comprehensive health care program" with respect to the peoples

of the Marshall Islands.

Pursuant to P.L. 96-205 and the resulting request

for proposals from the Department of Interior, there has been considerable
discussion on the exact scope of the Taw and what people and activities
should be included.

Further clarification with DOI has stipulated that the

contractor (Loma Linda University) prepare two health plans, as follows:
1.

"Comprehensive Care (Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary) for the
peoples of Rongelap, Utirik, Bikini, and Enewetak,"

2.

“Comprehensive Care as inl.

.. ., plus comprehensive care for

the peoples of all other atolls of the Marshall Islands."
In

addition,

comments

and

estimates

different types of U.S. personnel.

will

be

provided

regarding

It is clear, however,

use

of

that extensive

use of expatriates in primary care roles is both impractical and politically
unacceptable.
To avoid excessive duplication, the current situation and recommendations
regarding

the

comprehensive

presented

first.

Then

the

plan

for

all

of

the

Marshall

components of that plan

Islands

necessary for

will

be

adequate

primary, secondary and tertiary care for the people of Rongelap, Utirik, Bikini,
and Enewetak will be identified.
B.

Sources of Information
The Loma Linda University team of 22 members spanned many disciplines

and backgrounds, with a considerable depth of experience and expertise in

health care planning and delivery in the developing world (see appendix E).
In gathering background and source material for this survey and plan,
many organizations were contacted.

Among the most important were:

the

Trust Territory governmental headquarters in Saipan currently phasing down,
Brookhaven

National

Laboratory,

Lawrence

Livermore

Laboratory,

the

University of Hawaii/East-West Center, University of the South Pacific in
Fiji, College of Micronesia in Ponape and Saipan, and a number of other
institutions and organizations involved in work in the Marshalls.

Select target paragraph3