Community leaders continue to work endlessly to save the Pungo Hospital in Belhaven. Please join clergy and those concerned for justice this Wednesday, December 21, 10 a.m., at the Wake County Civil Court, Suite 1035, 316 Fayetteville Street in Raleigh (detailed directions below). The hoped-for outcome of this court hearing is to attain a temporary restraining order so that the hospital cannot be demolished. Those involved want as many Pungo Hospital supporters as possible to fill the courtroom in solidarity.
Pungo Hospital was closed in July 2014 after the owners promised to expand and update the facility. However, that closure became indefinite for financial reasons. Since then, the Belhaven community has been severely impacted by the lack of an emergency room and fully functional hospital. A health clinic has been established to serve some of the community’s needs. However, this means that in many emergency situations, the Belhaven community as well as the surrounding rural townships in Beaufort and Hyde counties, have to travel up to 50 miles to Vidant Medical Center in Greenville. In time-sensitive emergencies such as cardiac arrest or stroke, the distance could be deadly. Neighboring ambulance services in Washington and Greenville have been stretched to support the Belhaven community. The closing of Pungo Hospital has removed immediate health care access for more than 20,000 people, many of whom are retirees and veterans.
Mayor Adam O’Neal has led heroic efforts to prevent the current Pungo Hospital from being demolished. He has received support from many concerned North Carolinians, including the NC NAACP and faith leaders. People have rallied for the sake of basic human rights to be met through the scope of rural health care. There have been multiple rallies, calls for justice, and even a permanent vigil outside the hospital in the form of a tent where townspeople “keep watch” over the hospital to prevent demolition.
The North Carolina Council of Churches stands with the people of Belhaven and their right to quality and accessible health care. This is a matter of justice. Rural communities are already disadvantaged in the prevention of chronic illness and treatment access. Please join us in solidarity on Wednesday.
Wake County Civil Courthouse, 316 Fayetteville Street, Suite 1035. Parking is available in a number of parking decks in downtown Raleigh.
Coming from the East (on I-40 West):
• Take Exit 298B (S. Saunders Street) toward Raleigh/Downtown.
• Turn right onto S. Saunders Street (US-401N / US-70W).
• Veer right onto S. McDowell Street.
• Turn right onto Martin Street.
• Turn right onto Fayetteville Street.
• The Wake County Civil Courthouse will be on your right at 316 Fayetteville Street.
Coming from the West (on I-40 East):
• Take Exit 289 (Wave Avenue). Stay on Wade Avenue for approximately six miles.
• Shortly after passing Glenwood Avenue, take a right onto the Capital Blvd (South) ramp towards Downtown Raleigh.
• Stay on Capital Blvd for approximately two miles; Capital Boulevard turns into Dawson Street.
• Turn left onto Martin Street.
• Turn right onto Fayetteville Street.
• The Wake County Civil Courthouse will be on your right at 316 Fayetteville Street.
