VANCOUVER - The 2010 Winter Olympics in Whistler are getting a MASH-style mobile hospital.

MASH stood for Mobile Army Surgical Hospital in the old TV show, but in this case the health unit is supplied by GE.

The $4.5-million hospital is contained in tractor trailer truck that can expand to a 90-square metre unit with 12 beds, including an operating room with two surgical beds, a recovery/triage area and an intensive care unit.

Vancouver Olympic official Cathy Priestner-Allinger says Olympic organizers need to be prepared for everything during the Games and the mobile unit will provide quick access to state of the art surgical facilities and medical personnel.

A support trailer will also be stocked with 72 hours worth of surgical supplies and other equipment, and the mobile hospital will serve as an extension of the main health centre in Whistler.

The hospital will be bought by the provincial government after the Games.