expansion beyond this limited involvement meant they would not be able to supply. such materials. . The people's confidence was gained by dealing with them as people and not just someone on a list, A close doctor-patient relationship was created.: More time was spent on each island and the people treated equally with no selectivity. Public health personnal accompanied thetrips to provide direct people contact and to assist in the examining room with translations and patient procedures. A young Marshallese lahoratary technician was also utilized to improve paticnt relations, The response from the people was overwhelming. ~Brookhaven, although enjoying the good.work, still responded that the project was still research directed and that general health care responsibilities were up to the ‘rust Territory. The resident physician could only assist in providing general health care but not take responsibility for such work as part of the Brookhaven program. As a clinical physician I could not operate a health care program one handed. I could not diagnose a Problem and then respond by saying it is not my responsibility, but Trust Territory to take care of it. Especially, when ] knew I could manageit better than the Trust Territory health system. A close check would reveal that ERDA had funded a general health care project during my year as resident physician as that was the priority need of the neonle. Tt accomplished the same resulis as the old narrow research program but achieved more in that the people got better care and it . ‘developed a better response from the people. The Marshallese people have become remarkably sophisticated over the past few years. The American political and economic systems have taught them the importance of the dollar as well as giving them aspirations for better homes, food, health care, and employment. They are not to be viewed as "children" as was the opinion of some people. Their aspirations will continue to increase in the future. , The medical project that is conducted in the tslands should be the best one the U.S. govemment can provide, At present that does not occur. The people feel that the United States has.a moral and legal responsibility to provide care for them as a result of the fallout accident. The program should operate free of interference from Washington or Majuro. The desire of Drs. Conard, Knudson, and Kotrady is an intense effort to improve the quality and quantity of medical care delivered to the people. Physicians in the past have supported general health care efforts but have been stymied by the lack of official sanction and limited assistance. I chose to ignore the rigid policy and in doing so demonstrated that a better program could be accomplished in the islands. 59065918 BripT 96. 4c YOW BTA’PT@-d G22-1 BH9-4 12 AN “A*7 OOS5Y S71 22B8S6ccRd