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“lO
however it xepresents the lack of communication that existed between the medical
survey group, DOE liaison and the ships’ company,
The simple act of passing out
candy compromised the beginning of a highly important nutritional cducational
program.
Since there had been insufficient time to begin the comprehensive
educational program that was necessary to explain the reasons for withholding
"candy" from the group (the Marshallese did not understand why the medical group
was depriving them of their "sweets").
I was informed by our Marshallese nurse
that the people of the island were perplexed by the apparent luck of comaunica~
tion and different philosophies exhibited by the medical survey party and the
ship's company.
They perceived these differences,most directly by the cannon -
incident und by the dispute over the distribution of candy as gifts.
This
obvious division in goals and methods, I think, was detrimental to the credibility
a
ie
of both the medical survey team and the Department of Energy in general.
I had
previously pointed out to the members of the medical team that our mission had
two major goals.
Whe first was obviously the medical survey goals that we were
attenpting to achieve, but equally important was our public relations stature.
I think a review of past performance of this program has revealed that the medical
care has been execllent but there have been major problems that have
the public relations area.
arisen in
I consider this a very important aspect of the
Marshall Islands medical survey.
Duriny this survey that public relations effort
was compromised.
4.
Medical TeamProblems:
Both Mr. Brown and Mr. Otterman were aware of
my probloms with the Resident Physician and my attempts to solve those problens.
On the last day at Utirik, I went ashore and spent 4 hours at sick call assisted
by Dr, John Taman.
We delivered a large amount of drugs and medical equipisent
and supplies to the Health Aide.
3052
tal
were still waiting.
When I left at noon,
at least 20 patients
I seriously regretted leaving them but I had been informed