y © Z | S ‘MARSHALL ISLANDS JOURNAL Volume 14, Number 70 Page 13 ee tee . ee an.Everv_individual a-final annaint——-shown-ann_ The purpose of this article is to describe the medical evaluation program of the Devaar ad—ctelive, health care of all the Marshall Islanders The reason Dr. Hamilton began these it has never conducted health care surexaminations in June, 1983 was because veys and examinations of all the people. Marshall Islands Atomic Testing Litigation he began to find a large number of prealso it has never done a complete, inviously undiagnosed thyroid tumors on Project. Dr. Thomas Hamiiton, M.D., Ph.D, is a medical consultant to MIATLP dependent, radiological survey of all the people living in Majuro who were all islands and atolls. Therefore no one and has been performing complete medi- ‘from the northern Marshall Istands listed knows how many of the islands are concal evaluations on Marshallese people — above. This suggested the possibility that 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 uations are performed. Therefore all atolls other than Enewetak, Rongelap, has admitted that the atolls of Enewemedical proglems are diagnosed whether and Utirik. It will take at least another 6 tak, Bikini, Rongelap, and Utirik were they are radiation related or whether — .to 8 months to complete these examinaaffected. We had seen enough medical they are not radiatian related. The com- tions on the people from the above named problems on the otheratolls to fear that plete evaluations are performed in Maju-- atolls. However, the preliminary informathe problem was much more widespread. ro; each individual person has a 2-3 hour We are sorry to see that Dr. Hamilton's tion shows a large number of thyroid tuevaluation which includes completing a mors as well as a numberof other signifi- . preliminary findings suggest that this is medical questionnaire, talking with the true. These findings should cause the Unicant medical problems which were undoctor, a complete physical examination, ted States to immediately start radiologicdiagnosed and untreated. The purpose in 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 and ail the people so that those affected with these problems is to recommend as a permanent part of each person's that they be referred to see Dr. Hamilcan be treated and so that further injury hospital record. In addition, a copy of from contaminated atolls or poisoned ton for a complete evaluation in Majuro. food can be prevented. this report is provided.to the MIATLP At the completion of the examination © ch surveys are needed now. They shoattomeys. People who have serious on each atoll, a list of the people recommedical problems are immediately referruid not await the outcomeof plebiscites mended for complete evaluations is. given ed by Dr. Hamilton to either local phyof all the Micronesian countries. Nor to 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 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. HaAssociation even cif itawisceapprovedbythe _ milton’s report is provided to the physiciNearly 2000 people, including children tented a 4 Radiation Illness Widespread Kiiday, September 2, 1983 4