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Comfort Continues Medical Care of Katrina Victims

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS050914-31
Release Date: 9/14/2005 11:32:00 PM

By Lt.j.g. Bashon W. Mann, USNS Comfort Public Affairs

PASCAGOULA, Miss. (NNS) -- USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) has administered medical care to 227 local residents aboard the hospital ship since its arrival Sept. 9 at Bayou Cassotte Terminal here in support of Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.

Comfort, a hospital ship operated by Military Sealift Command, is operating in cooperation with local health officials to provide medical care as needed within Pascagoula and the surrounding communities.

The ship is acting in direct support of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) effort to provide medical support and humanitarian aid for victims of the hurricane.

Comfort staff have treated patients with injuries ranging from abrasions, cuts and bruises to minor surgical procedures.

Comfort is opening its doors for treatment of all civilian and Department of Defense (DoD) personnel who were affected by Katrina and need care.

The 894-foot ship has surgical capabilities in obstetrics, gynecology, ear, nose and throat as well as non-surgical medical capabilities in dermatology and psychiatry.

Comfort can also provide ancillary and support services in radiology, dietary and pharmacy.

Comfort has unique capabilities for humanitarian relief missions, including helicopter-lift capability, advanced medical equipment, a wide range of medical skills, berthing and personnel support, as well as supplies to support medical operations ashore.

Comfort and its more than 600-person crew is currently functioning at a 250-bed level capacity. In addition to the 59 Sailors and 63 civil service mariners who make up the Reduced Operating Status (ROS) crew aboard the ship, the crew is augmented with Sailors from the National Naval Medical Center (NNMC) in Bethesda, Md., the Naval Medical Clinic (NMC) Annapolis, Md., and several other Navy Military Treatment Facilities (MTF) as the ship begins to function as a respite care facility for area relief-aid workers.