The people of Rongelap Atoll wrote a letter, dated October, 1976, to Dr. J. L. Liverman of ERDA containing a series of comments and questions about the medical program on their island. A copy of this letter is attached. The following comments concerning the letter were prepared by the staff of Brookhaven National Laboratory and ERDA. The first comment is with regard to travel of Marshallese patients to the United States. Since only very few Americans know the Marshallese language, it is indeed necessary to accompany patients that come to the U.S. for treatment by Marshallese attendants. Unfortunately, on or about two occasions, this did not occur for various reasons. Every effort will be made in the future to have all patients accompanied by English-speaking Marshallese attendants. Also when traveling outside the Trust Territory, they will be provided with adequate traveling funds, In addition, the Trust Territory officials will be urged to arrange necessary papers such as passports well in advance. Whenever the Brookhaven doctors are at Rongelap, they give anyone with sickness the best treatment available under the circumstances. As in the past, any disease in an exposed person that appears to be caused by radiation exposure will be taken to the U.S. for treatment if necessary, In the case that adequate facilities are available locally, patients that require hospitalization will be treated in the Trust Territory hospitals. Dr. Knudsen will assist in the treatment of the patients at these hospitals. Medicines needed for treatment at Rongelap that are not available from the Trust Territory Department of Health Services will, if possible, be provided by ERDA doctors. We are sorry that there have been conflicting reports about the future health of the exposed people of Rongelap. Specifically, we strongly disagree with the Japanese newspaper report that is is necessary to leave Rongelap nd ‘ co ws SO1 1 MAT ALtyte, can eee Rat lg