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1994.09.07 :  Aid to Rwandan Children

Contact:  Bill Grigg (202) 690-6867
Wednesday, Sept. 7, 1994


         U.S. PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE TO AID RWANDAN CHILDREN


     The U.S. Public Health Service today is dispatching pediatric
nurses, a nutritionist and a psychiatric nurse -- all officers of
the PHS Commissioned Corps -- to help develop care for 7,000 Rwandan
children separated from their parents and stranded in Goma, Zaire.

     These personnel will train local health workers to help with
the health care of the youngsters, officially known as
"unaccompanied children."   A psychiatric nurse is included both
because many of the children are traumatized and because the health
workers themselves may have difficulty facing the desperate
situation.

     The group was put together after Tipper Gore, wife of the   
vice president, visited the holding area last month and was appalled
by the needs.  The volunteers were getting final briefings today at
the Parklawn Building, a PHS facility in Rockville, Md., before
catching planes this evening.

     HHS Secretary Donna E. Shalala, a veteran of the Peace Corps,
told the group today, "You are volunteering for a tough assignment
which will benefit children who are otherwise nearly defenseless
against the trauma of poverty, disease and family separation.  But I
know you'll find rich rewards in the faces of the children and in
seeing the positive results of what you do."

     Philip R. Lee, M.D., assistant secretary for health and
director of the Public Health Service, said, "Americans have seen
the misery of the Rwandans each day on television and in their
newspapers -- and we have sometimes felt helpless.  But you will
make a difference, as will all who contribute to UNICEF and other
relief funds that support you and other volunteers."

     The PHS professionals will work under the auspices of UNICEF --
the United Nations Children's Fund -- which will pay PHS for the
employee's expenses.  Because of the difficult conditions and health
hazards, the PHS plans to replace this group with a second PHS team
in six weeks.

     An agency of the Public Health Service, the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention in Atlanta currently has four epidemiologists
in Zaire organizing disease surveillance, immunization for measles
and meningitis and prescription drug delivery.  As many as 14 from
CDC have assisted with the crisis at one time or another during
recent weeks.

     In Goma, the group will be under the direction of RAdm. Julia
Plotnick of Silver Spring, Md., the chief nurse of the Public Health
Service.  The 14 additional volunteers with their PHS Commissioned
Corps ranks are:

                          PEDIATRIC NURSES

     Lt. Barbara Bolton of Eagle River, Ark.;
     Capt. Martina P. Callaghan of Sante Fe, N.M.;
     Capt. Mary M. Dodson of Ardin, Mont.;
     Lt. Cdr. Ellen J. King of Clinton, Md.; 
     Cdr. Deborah S. Mayo of Edmond, Okla.;
     Lt. Cdr. Brenda J. Murray of Santa Fe, N.M.;
     Lt. Cdr. Monique V. Petrofsky of Gaithersburg, Md.;
     Cdr. Jacquelyn A. Polder of Waukesha, Wisc.;
     Lt. Cdr. Letitia L. Rhodes-Bard of Phoenix, Ariz.;
     Cdr. Andrew C. Stevermer of Seattle, Wash.;
     Cdr. Robert G. Toomey of Atlanta; 
     Capt. Jaloo I. Zelonis of Billings, Mont.

                          PSYCHIATRIC NURSE

     Capt. James C. McCann of Gaithersburg, Md.

                            NUTRITIONIST

     Lt. Cdr. Denise D. Whisler of Bethesda, Md.


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