Three hospitals in Mississippi are in danger of closing because of bankruptcy, but officials in Cohoama County are doing everything they can to make sure their Mississippi Delta hospital keeps its doors open. MPB’s Alexandra Watts reports.
Curae Health, the company that runs Northwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center in Clarksdale, is bankrupt.
Paul Pearson with the Cohoama County Board of Supervisors said the board voted to keep the hospital open and have the county take over.
He said the hospital is important for residents’ health and for the state of the community.
“A hospital helps make your community has something else to offer," he said. "If you’re going to market your community for industry, I’m sure that’s something that any industry or any company that is wanting to come to an area will look and make sure that you have adequate law enforcements, adequate schools, adequate hospitals and some type of quality of life, and a hospital is very much a piece of that puzzle.”
Mark Dugo is an assistant professor with Mississippi Valley State University. He said having a hospital close by is important for emergency and preventive care.
“Ready access to healthcare facilities and early screenings and routine visits will go a long way to reducing the negative outcomes that are so prevalent in the Delta.”
Pearson said the county will start operating the hospital in November.
