Floating Hospitals

Having worked in the chars since 1998, Friendship was well aware that a land based operation, although ideal, would not be sustainable to serve the health needs of the chars and riverbanks of Bangladesh’s vast rivers. Given the distance of the islands from each other and mainland, a static healthcare system seemed quite redundant. To overcome all these obstacles, Runa Khan and Yves Marre decided to introduce the first floating hospital in Bangladesh.

The Lifebuoy Friendship Hospital was initiated by Friendship in 2001 with an aim to provide essential healthcare services to the char populace. The project was designed to reach char based population clusters that are isolated from the mainland in terms of physical distance and basic healthcare services. Following its unparalleled success at serving these communities, the Emirates Friendship Hospital was also introduced in 2008. Both hospitals are suitably equipped to provide primary and secondary care to its patients. The hospitals are also fully mobile and relocate every few months to serve a different char.

	Lifebuoy Friendship Hospital The Lifebuoy Friendship Hospital (LFH) is Friendship’s flagship programme and was initiated by Friendship in 2001 with an aim to provide essential primary healthcare services to char and riverbank-based population clusters in northern Bangladesh that are isolated from mainstream habitation... read more
	Emirates Friendship Hospital Friendship inaugurated its second floating hospital, the Emirates Friendship Hospital (EFH), on 22 November 2008. Built under the supervision of Friendship advisor, Yves Marre, the EHF is the first steel multi-hull ship made in Bangladesh... read more
	Rongdhonu The Rongdhonu, formerly known as Rainbow Warrior II, will enable Friendship to bring healthcare to vulnerable and marginalized communities living along the coastal belt of Bangladesh. The floating hospital will provide primary, secondary and emergency healthcare... read more