WASHINGTON, D.C. -- United States Senator Daniel K. Inouye is pleased to announce that the Straub Clinic and Hospital, Inc., through its Department of Pacific Island Medical Services, the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine Family Practice Program, and the Pacific Health Research Institute will receive $5.5 million over 5 years from the U.S. Department of Energy to provide a special medical care program for 238 citizens of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI). The ongoing Congressionally mandated program offers biannual medical screening visits and full medical care for radiation-related conditions.

As a result of the 1954 United States thermonuclear "Bravo" test in the Marshall Islands, 253 Marshallese people on Rongelap and Utirik Atolls were exposed to high levels of radioactive fallout.

"I am pleased that this funding will provide needed health care services to the remaining 238 citizens on RMI. The foremost priority of the program is to monitor and care for illnesses related to this U.S. thermonuclear detonation. A secondary aim is to provide longitudinal on-site comprehensive medical care to the identified population, as resources allow. Health care professionals from the RMI and Hawaii, with the aid of telemedicine links, will be able to deliver care year round with an emphasis on health promotion as well as diagnosis and treatment," said Senator Inouye.

The program will be under the direction of Dr. Henry Preston, Straub Hospital, and Dr. Neal Palafox, University of Hawaii, John A. Burns School of Medicine. Both physicians are active in the delivery of health care in the Pacific. Dr. Palafox is the former Medical Director for the Bureau of Preventive Health Services in the RMI.