[zakary]

Because in many places, especially disaster zones, a tent is a massive upgrade from the bare patch of dirt they often currently have to make do with.

This isn’t to replace an inner city hospital, this is the make it fast and cheap to deploy the basic necessities of medical care.

[carlosjobim]

My impression is that when a disaster strikes a Western country, they have the capacity to airlift the people in need of medical attention to real hospitals in areas that weren't struck, instead of putting up tents and barracks in the disaster zone.

[gumballindie]

Exactly, plus western countries are usually smaller and services arrive quickly at the scene.

[user_7832]

Minor nit, but countries like the US or Canada are huge and rescues can take a lot of time. However you don't need a portable hospital more than a rescue helicopter for a few injured/lost hikers.