Lifebouy Friendship Hospital
Launched in 2002, the Lifebouy Friendship Hospital plies up and down the 'char' regions with a full team of medical experts and a well stocked dispensary providing free health services and health education.
Providing free health services
Working with the Friendship charity, Unilever Bangladesh sponsored the complete transformation of a French oil-barge into a comfortable residential boat with proper amenities for medial procedures. Launched in 2002, the 38 metre Lifebouy Friendship Hospital plies up and down the 'char' regions with a full team of medical experts and a well stocked dispensary.
Facilities
The hospital boat boasts an unprecedented array of on-board facilities, including
- a patient observation ward,
- a gynecological and obstetrics room,
- an antenatal check-up clinic
- a small surgery for minor operations,
- a pathological lab,
- a dental surgery
Health education
In addition, the hospital has a dedicated health education team. The team is responsible for running much needed education programmes on basic health issues, such as nutrition, sanitation and safe motherhood.
Unique impact
The floating hospital really is unique and its impact across the char regions is difficult to fully appreciate. To date, over 200,000 char-dwellers have had access to the hospital’s free health services - many of whom have never had any kind of formal medical attention in their lives. The hospital’s team of health professionals immunised 17,500 children against common water-born illnesses and other diseases.
Making a difference
Imran Momin, Supply Chain Director for Unilever Bangladesh, is one of the managers who had the opportunity to see first-hand the difference that the floating hospital is making. Following a recent trip to the flood-stricken region of Gaibandha, Imran talks of seeing homesteads and fields under water. The plight of the char-dwellers was, in his own words, one of "untold misery". However he says "the pale of gloom evaporated the moment we saw the insignia of the Lifebouy Friendship Hospital at anchor".
Touching lives
Those who have visited the floating hospital have all commented that they felt there was a strong sense of pride hanging in the air - the pride associated with a company like Unilever Bangladesh which has literally touched the hearts of millions of Bangladeshis.
