The healthcare situation in Belhaven has been a long path treaded by both parties involved — Vidant Health and the Town of Belhaven.

This summer, Vidant closed Vidant Pungo Hospital. Prior to the closing, the town, Vidant and the NC NAACP met in federal mediation, conducted by the U.S. Department of Justice. This mediation was in the effort to successfully transfer the hospital and its operations from Vidant to the town before Vidant closed it on July 1.

Although the town and the NC NAACP said they came up with a viable plan to reopen and operate the hospital, it didn’t happen by July 1, which was the date of the closing after Vidant’s three-month extension.

In February, Pantego Creek LLC, a third party created to protect the interests of the former Pungo District Hospital membership corporation after Vidant took over the hospital and to oversee Vidant’s assumption of control of the hospital, and Vidant agreed to replace the hospital with a 24/7 multi-specialty clinic, which is currently another subject of debate in Belhaven. Vidant purchased property in Belhaven in December 2013 to build the clinic.

It is understandable the people of the town and its surrounding areas, want an operational emergency room to better ensure emergency situations are addressed and treated as quickly as possible. It is also understandable that the town is concerned that by losing the hospital, it loses the $400,000+ utility bill the hospital generates each year, which could cripple the town’s budgeting plans and economy.

However, it seems that Vidant is trying to do what it is there to do — serve the region by providing healthcare to the residents of Belhaven and the surrounding areas.

The town originally granted Vidant a building permit on Aug. 1 for the clinic. But on Aug. 28, the permit was revoked. The town says the land is not zoned for a clinic. One would ask…what changed the zoning in a matter of 27 days?

This battle that has been going on is counterproductive for the town and its people. The new facility would include all Vidant Medical Group physicians, staff and services under one roof and have space available for specialists who see patients in the community. It would also include a new helipad in Belhaven for emergency transports to a higher level of care for patients when necessary.

Is it an emergency room? No, maybe not. But it’s better than nothing and the facility would help supplement the loss of the hospital’s utility service. It may be time for Belhaven to cut its losses and learn to coexist with Vidant Health and find a medium to ensure sustainable healthcare for its residents.