Chernobyls Children
January 2003 745
0'04 (0745)
Belarus, 16 years on from the tragedy of Chernobyl. Almost a quarter of the country is still contaminated. Over the years 135 000 residents have been displaced.
0'19
260 000 hectares of fertile soil have been dug up, rendering it useless.
0'29'' (0754)
Hundreds of thousands of people still live in the less infected regions, however, such as here in Mogilov.
0'38'' (0807)
About 150 km or so away from the capital Minsk, almost half a million inhabitants live here, Babrujsk
0'47'' (0815)
Many desperate residents survive on what they can grow for themself in the garden. Whether these vegetables are safe or not, where they were bought and who eats them is entirely unregulated by the State, say its critics.
1'00'' (0830)
One such critic is Wassily Nesterenko. He heads an independent Institute for Radiation safety, and regularly takes measurements across the country
111 (0838) OT Prof. Wassily Nesterenko, Institut für Strahlensicherheit "BELRAD" (Institute for Radiation safety, Belrad)
Since neither the family nor the state can supply the children with healthy food, they have to use contaminated food. The effect of so-called "small doses of radioactivity" is the basis of very many diseases, and the reason so many children are ill.
1'28' (0857)
Renata is one of the thousands of sick. She is almost blind. a tumour is swelling In her brain. Her parents remain in no doubt the illness is a direct result of the meltdown.
146 (0912) OT Sergej Schak, Renatas Father
I didnt used to live in Babrusk, but in a town to the East of here. After the explosion in 1986, we had to move. But it was too late the radiation had affected our reproductive organs.
2'04'' (0932)
Renatas chances of survival are marginal. But for the time being she cant go to hospital, a doctor makes regular trips to her home.
2'14'' (0943)
On this small bus, Doctor Diana Hasanjewitsch drives through Belarus, visiting seriously ill and dying children. She is part of a team from the Childrens Hospice in Minsk, supported by Charities in Austria. Staff here help the children through the last months of their lives.
2'33'' (1000)
The Hospice is contacted when the poorly equipped Belorussian hospitals can no longer look after the children. Like 12 year old Veronika, who suffers from a rare illness of the immune system.
2'49" (1020)
Her skin is extremely pale and sensitive.
257 (1024) OT Valentina Burdenjko, Veronikas Mother
Im desperate to help her, but Im totally powerless. I cant do anything more for her.
3'07'' (1035)
The hospice staff have decided to get Veronica to Minsk, to die. There, she can receive better treatment, in a friendly atmosphere.
3'21'' (1050)
The Hospice is a cheery, bright house. Everyday children on deaths door arrive here, to play and laugh with other dying children. Much more than that the staff cant do.
339 OT Anna Gortschakova, Head of Hospice
Eng.
4'02'' (1130)
In 1985, 80 per cent of Belorussian children were in full health. Since Chernobyl, the figure is consistently closer to 20 per cent.
4'13'' (1130)
At the Health Ministry, officials urge us not to make too much of statistics. That is, the situation is a long way from ideal, but it IS getting better. Infant mortality rates are on a par with European levels, and treatment for cancer is ever improving. Life expectancy is slowly creeping up.
439 (1205) OT Vladislav Ostapenko, Health Minister
The life expectancy for women is presently 73, men 62. I would like to state again that we are almost at western levels, and we want to be a European country, and we want this with dignity.
4'59'' (1220)
The Childrens cancer Hospital in Minsk is one of those that has reached western European standards, with the help of Austrian support.
5'09'' (1238)
Children from across Belorussia suffering from cancer are brought here usually accompanied by their mothers. They cook for their children, and stay with them through their treatment.
5'24''
The number of cancer patients hasnt reduced over the last years. However, here they are still optimistic.
532 OT Dr. Olga Aleinikova, Head, Cancer Hospital Minsk
Eng.
5'42'' (1310)
Scientific studies have proven a direct link between thyroid cancer and radioactive radiation.
5'50'' (1320)
Other illnesses are a result of the poor economic value of the soiled earth. A doctor now earns only about $250 a month, and an average citizen cant even afford to feed themself.
6'03'' (1333)
The State still hands over 20 per cent of its budget for the effects of Cherbnobyl a huge burden.
6'13'' (1348)
Belarus, who doesnt even have any nuclear power itself, is still paying the price 16 years after the explosion of the Ukrainian reactor. Just like her neighbours, she suffers badly from the effects of radioactive radiation. Without outside help, it will be unable to drag itself out of this crisis. Support of the west, but also co-operation between the afflicted states of the former Soviet Union, is deperately vital.
6'40'' (1910)
There is one encouraging initiative.
6'45'' (1437)
With the support of Austrian relief organisation, Olga Aleinikovka, head doctor at the Misnk Cancer Clinic, is setting up a support programme for doctors in the neighbouring countries. Together with cancer specialists in Moscow, medical experts are being trained in Tajikistan, Moldova and Georgia.
7'07''
There is a glimmer of hope for all those children affected merely by being born after the disaster in Chernobyl, and now a few more just may get better...
Bericht: Christiane Teschl
Kamera: Helmut Muttenthaler
Schnitt: Ali Aydin
AKM:
Carlin Production Music/LC 7189/National Flavours 5/Track 1 "Mysterious Lands"/Länge: 2'0'')
Carlin Production Music/LC7189/National Flavours 5/Track 6 "Skudrinka"/Länge: 0'30'')
January 2003 745
0'04 (0745)
Belarus, 16 years on from the tragedy of Chernobyl. Almost a quarter of the country is still contaminated. Over the years 135 000 residents have been displaced.
0'19
260 000 hectares of fertile soil have been dug up, rendering it useless.
0'29'' (0754)
Hundreds of thousands of people still live in the less infected regions, however, such as here in Mogilov.
0'38'' (0807)
About 150 km or so away from the capital Minsk, almost half a million inhabitants live here, Babrujsk
0'47'' (0815)
Many desperate residents survive on what they can grow for themself in the garden. Whether these vegetables are safe or not, where they were bought and who eats them is entirely unregulated by the State, say its critics.
1'00'' (0830)
One such critic is Wassily Nesterenko. He heads an independent Institute for Radiation safety, and regularly takes measurements across the country
111 (0838) OT Prof. Wassily Nesterenko, Institut für Strahlensicherheit "BELRAD" (Institute for Radiation safety, Belrad)
Since neither the family nor the state can supply the children with healthy food, they have to use contaminated food. The effect of so-called "small doses of radioactivity" is the basis of very many diseases, and the reason so many children are ill.
1'28' (0857)
Renata is one of the thousands of sick. She is almost blind. a tumour is swelling In her brain. Her parents remain in no doubt the illness is a direct result of the meltdown.
146 (0912) OT Sergej Schak, Renatas Father
I didnt used to live in Babrusk, but in a town to the East of here. After the explosion in 1986, we had to move. But it was too late the radiation had affected our reproductive organs.
2'04'' (0932)
Renatas chances of survival are marginal. But for the time being she cant go to hospital, a doctor makes regular trips to her home.
2'14'' (0943)
On this small bus, Doctor Diana Hasanjewitsch drives through Belarus, visiting seriously ill and dying children. She is part of a team from the Childrens Hospice in Minsk, supported by Charities in Austria. Staff here help the children through the last months of their lives.
2'33'' (1000)
The Hospice is contacted when the poorly equipped Belorussian hospitals can no longer look after the children. Like 12 year old Veronika, who suffers from a rare illness of the immune system.
2'49" (1020)
Her skin is extremely pale and sensitive.
257 (1024) OT Valentina Burdenjko, Veronikas Mother
Im desperate to help her, but Im totally powerless. I cant do anything more for her.
3'07'' (1035)
The hospice staff have decided to get Veronica to Minsk, to die. There, she can receive better treatment, in a friendly atmosphere.
3'21'' (1050)
The Hospice is a cheery, bright house. Everyday children on deaths door arrive here, to play and laugh with other dying children. Much more than that the staff cant do.
339 OT Anna Gortschakova, Head of Hospice
Eng.
4'02'' (1130)
In 1985, 80 per cent of Belorussian children were in full health. Since Chernobyl, the figure is consistently closer to 20 per cent.
4'13'' (1130)
At the Health Ministry, officials urge us not to make too much of statistics. That is, the situation is a long way from ideal, but it IS getting better. Infant mortality rates are on a par with European levels, and treatment for cancer is ever improving. Life expectancy is slowly creeping up.
439 (1205) OT Vladislav Ostapenko, Health Minister
The life expectancy for women is presently 73, men 62. I would like to state again that we are almost at western levels, and we want to be a European country, and we want this with dignity.
4'59'' (1220)
The Childrens cancer Hospital in Minsk is one of those that has reached western European standards, with the help of Austrian support.
5'09'' (1238)
Children from across Belorussia suffering from cancer are brought here usually accompanied by their mothers. They cook for their children, and stay with them through their treatment.
5'24''
The number of cancer patients hasnt reduced over the last years. However, here they are still optimistic.
532 OT Dr. Olga Aleinikova, Head, Cancer Hospital Minsk
Eng.
5'42'' (1310)
Scientific studies have proven a direct link between thyroid cancer and radioactive radiation.
5'50'' (1320)
Other illnesses are a result of the poor economic value of the soiled earth. A doctor now earns only about $250 a month, and an average citizen cant even afford to feed themself.
6'03'' (1333)
The State still hands over 20 per cent of its budget for the effects of Cherbnobyl a huge burden.
6'13'' (1348)
Belarus, who doesnt even have any nuclear power itself, is still paying the price 16 years after the explosion of the Ukrainian reactor. Just like her neighbours, she suffers badly from the effects of radioactive radiation. Without outside help, it will be unable to drag itself out of this crisis. Support of the west, but also co-operation between the afflicted states of the former Soviet Union, is deperately vital.
6'40'' (1910)
There is one encouraging initiative.
6'45'' (1437)
With the support of Austrian relief organisation, Olga Aleinikovka, head doctor at the Misnk Cancer Clinic, is setting up a support programme for doctors in the neighbouring countries. Together with cancer specialists in Moscow, medical experts are being trained in Tajikistan, Moldova and Georgia.
7'07''
There is a glimmer of hope for all those children affected merely by being born after the disaster in Chernobyl, and now a few more just may get better...
Bericht: Christiane Teschl
Kamera: Helmut Muttenthaler
Schnitt: Ali Aydin
AKM:
Carlin Production Music/LC 7189/National Flavours 5/Track 1 "Mysterious Lands"/Länge: 2'0'')
Carlin Production Music/LC7189/National Flavours 5/Track 6 "Skudrinka"/Länge: 0'30'')