"We are proud that the Mobile Hospital maintained by DHHS has opened its doors and is meeting the critical medical needs of the Lousville community while recovery efforts continue," said Health and Human Services Secretary Aldona Wos in a statement.  "North Carolina is happy that we are able to lend a hand to our neighbors in Mississippi during their time of need."

 

The hospital is expected to be in operation for 12 to 18 months while reconstruction is under way for the Winston County 41-bed hospital and the eight of the community's nine medical offices that were damaged or destroyed in the EF4 tornado that struck on April 28.

 

The deployment was coordinated by Dr. Lew Stringer and a team from the N.C. Office of Emergency Medical Services, along with set-up partners from the North Carolina Baptist Men.