-10however it represents the
lack of communication that existed between the medical
survey group, DUE liaison and the ships’ company.
‘The simple act of passing out
candy compromised the beginning of a highly important nutritional educational
program.
Since there had bean 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 nedical group
was depriving them of their "sweets").
I was informed by our Marshallese nurse
that the people of the island were porplexed by
tion and different philosophies exhibited by
ship's company.
the apparent luck of corraunica-
the medical survey party and the
They perceived these differences mast directly by the connon
incident and by the dispute over thre distribution of candy as gifts.
This
obvious division in goals and methods, I think, was detrimental to the credibility
of both the medical survey team and the Department of Energy in general.
I hea
previously pointed out to the mecbexs of the modical team that our mission had
two major goals.
‘the first was obviousl]y the medical survey goals that we were
attempting 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 excellent but there have Been major problems that have
the public relations area.
arisen in
TI consider this a very important aspect of the
Marshall Islands medical survey.
Duriny this survey that public relations cEfort
was compromised.
4.
MedicalTeamProblems:
Both Mr. Brown and Mr. Otterman wore aware of
my problems with the Resident Physician and my attempts to solve those problens.
On the last day at Utirik,
by Dr. John Iaman.
I went ashore and spent 4 hours at sick call assisted
We delivered a large amount of drugs and medical equipment
and supplies to the Health Aide.
wore still waiting.
When I left at noon, at least 20 patients
I seriously regretted leaving them but I had been informed