Floating Hospital Brings Hope to Chandpur's Char Areas

The hospital, named after King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia, was officially inaugurated by Health Services Division Secretary Md Saidur Rahman in Haimchar upazila, on the western bank of the Meghna. The initiative is spearheaded by the NGO Friendship and supported by the King Abdullah Humanitarian Foundation.

“This floating hospital will bridge the gap in healthcare access for those living in these isolated chars,” said Saidur Rahman during the inaugural ceremony. “For too long, these communities have faced dangerous and expensive journeys just to see a doctor. This changes everything.”

Equipped with modern medical equipment, the hospital offers free services including primary healthcare, diagnostics, maternal care, and even minor surgeries. Operated by a dedicated team of seven doctors and 32 medical staff, it treats 150–200 patients every day.

For residents like Bilkis Begum, the impact is already life-changing. “We used to risk our lives crossing the river during storms to reach the nearest hospital—and that’s only if we could afford it,” she shared after receiving free eye surgery aboard the vessel. “Now, care comes to us.”

Runa Khan, founder of Friendship, noted that the project aims to serve up to 3.2 million people in Haimchar and surrounding regions. “Our goal is to bring dignity and access to health for the people who need it most.”

The launch event saw attendance from key dignitaries, including Prof Dr Md Abu Zafar, Director General of Health Services; Soleiman Abdulaziz, CEO of King Abdullah Humanitarian Foundation; Mohammad Mohsin Uddin, Chandpur Deputy Commissioner; Superintendent of Police Muhammad Abdur Rokib; and a delegation from the Saudi government.

With the hospital now sailing through Chandpur’s riverine heartland, the long-held dream of accessible healthcare is finally docking at the doorsteps of the country’s most marginalized.