as circumstances
permit.
The program will, as a consequence,
complement
exist-
ing efforts in the field to the extent that time permits during the medical
missions even though primary care is curtailed.
to offer the same examinations and diagnostic
The BNL program will continue
and therapeutic
options to all
inhabitants on the island at the time of the visits to Rongelap
Utirik.
The one difference between exposed and unexposed
former will be eligible for direct referral
the costs will be borne by the medical
(Mejato) and
is that only the
outside the Marshall
Islands, and
program.
A hallmark of the BN} program has been the high rate of &ipli%nce
among the
; ,.rf__
:
,:<
.,..,., ,
exposed persons for annual medical examinations which remainh: as the~ have
sin~e the 1950s$ voluntary.
To assure continued
availability
of the examina-
tions to all exposed persons who desire them, a second medical mission will be -!--+..
wr=r.ied.out several months after the first.
all exposed persons desiring examinations
single mission.
to think that
will be available at the time of a’” - ‘“”-- .
,,..
The second trip is designed
will comprise a physician, nurse, laboratory
Their work will be performed at Marshallese
Nevertheless,
It is unrealistic
to inclu~e~these
technician,
individuals and
and administrator.
facilities on Ebeye and Majuro.
if travel situations permit and clinical justification
,? :/ ,...,,’ .._
the optio~,j~totravel to Rongelap and Utirik should be available.
islands would be visited to ensure adequate
nostic and therapeutic problems.
exists,
The latter
medical follow-up of special diag-
It cannot be expected that the 4 Atoll
Health Care Program (4AHCP) will be able to adequately attend to all the special
needs of the exposed, even though a medical
needs may be on hand.
record system indicating
A third visit in the course of a year will be carried
out by one or two of the BNL staff to distribute
information,
those
and collect medical
record
document adequate follow-up of special medical problems, and
maintain close working relations with the 4AHCP, DOE/PASO, and the Marshallese
Health Services.
;4.
.L. . .
,
As the scope of medical care provided to the exposed .,nowincreases, the previously
defined program directed at neoplastic diseases
8
and other unique problems possibly