HOSPITAL SHIPS

Our hospital ships save lives by bringing medical care to the poor and marginalised in otherwise inaccessible areas of Bangladesh.
 
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OUR HOSPITAL SHIPS HELP SAVE AND DRAMATICALLY IMPROVE LIVES

Survival is an everyday struggle in the river island areas (or Chars) of Bangladesh, where communities live in poverty isolated from the mainland, surrounded by water and without access to the most basic services. In the 1990s, Yves Marre sailed a river barge from France to donate it for use by the people of Bangladesh. The barge was converted into Friendship’s first floating hospital. We now have three hospital ships that move every few months to reach as many people as possible. A relatively simple operation is often all that is needed to save or dramatically improve a life. This happens continuously on board our hospital ships.

Friendship’s three hospital ships

Lifebuoy Friendship hospital

Friendship’s first hospital ship

Lifebuoy Friendship Hospital was Friendship’s first operational hospital ship. Originally a river barge, it was converted into a hospital ship with support from donors including Unilever and CIDA and its doors opened in 2002. After almost a decade of service on the rivers in the North, the ship was refurbished in 2010 and all medical equipment on board was upgraded. Lifebuoy Friendship Hospital serves on average 45,000 patients per year.

Emirates Friendship Hospital

An Emirates Airline donation

November 2008 saw the launch of our second hospital ship, thanks to the support of the Emirates Airline Foundation. The vessel operates in the Northern river areas of Bangladesh. Emirates Friendship Hospital serves on average 55,000 patients per year.

Rongdhonu Friendship hospital

A Greenpeace donation

In August 2011, Greenpeace International donated its former flagship Rainbow Warrior II to Friendship. The vessel was converted into a hospital ship and, since January 2013, operates in the coastal areas of the Bay of Bengal in Southern Bangladesh. The Rongdhonu Friendship Hospital ship serves on average 40,000 patients per year. Learn more >

GREENPEACE’S RAINBOW WARRIOR IS NOW A HOSPITAL SHIP

Greenpeace’s legendary « Rainbow Warrior » has been transformed into one of Friendship’s floating hospital ships. It now offers life saving healthcare services to the poor in otherwise inaccessible areas of Bangladesh. Learn more >

EVERYDAY PEOPLE DIE FROM EASILY PREVENTABLE DISEASES.

A relatively simple operation is often all that is needed to save or dramatically improve a life. Help us continue to bring life-saving health services to Bangladesh’s marginalised men, women and children.
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What can be found on-board?

General and pediatric consultation
Gynecological consultation
Dental Unit
Eye Unit
Radiology Unit
Laboratory services
Operating Theatres
Recovery Wards
Pharmacy

How we help

Friendship’s resident medical teams provide regular services on board ship. Voluntary surgeons and other specialists also travel from Dhaka and abroad donating their expertise during intensive medical camps. They provide advanced surgery and services to correct painful and debilitating conditions commonly found in remote areas, restoring hope and self-respect to patients through the prospect of return to a normal life.

Burn Contracture surgery

Open fires used for cooking in the chars frequently cause horrific burns to women and children which, left untreated, result in serious disfigurement and lack of mobility.

103 corrective burn surgeries were performed in 2015.

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Cleft lip and palate surgery

Surgery reverses the social rejection and poor economic and marriage prospects of children born with cleft lip and palate.

37 cleft lip and palate surgeries were performed in 2015.

___

Cataract operations

Cataracts are extremely common in the chars, even among the relatively young. A straightforward operation enables patients to regain their sight and independence meaning they are no longer an economic burden to the family.

2,421 cataract operations were performed in 2015.

___

Club foot operations

Operations for club foot provide the patient with the prospect of normal mobility and an independent life.

141 club foot operations were performed in 2015.

___

Gynecological surgery

Women with conditions such as fistula or uterine prolapse face rejection by their community. With treatment at our hospital ships, they can regain both health and dignity.

89 gynecological surgeries were performed in 2015.

___

Abdominal surgery

Often adults and children suffer from minor ailments that they cannot afford to have treated, and if left, these can become serious conditions. Free visceral surgery is made available to avert complications and allow patients to lead a healthy life.

276 major and minor visceral surgeries were performed in 2015.

___

How we help

Friendship’s resident medical teams provide regular services on board ship. Voluntary surgeons and other specialists also travel from Dhaka and abroad donating their expertise during intensive medical camps. They provide advanced surgery and services to correct painful and debilitating conditions commonly found in remote areas, restoring hope and self-respect to patients through the prospect of return to a normal life.

Burn Contracture surgery

Open fires used for cooking in the chars frequently cause horrific burns to women and children which, left untreated, result in serious disfigurement and lack of mobility.

103 corrective burn surgeries were performed in 2015.

___

Cleft lip and palate surgery

Surgery reverses the social rejection and poor economic and marriage prospects of children born with cleft lip and palate.

37 cleft lip and palate surgeries were performed in 2015.

___

Cataract operations

Cataracts are extremely common in the chars, even among the relatively young. A straightforward operation enables patients to regain their sight and independence meaning they are no longer an economic burden to the family.

2,421 cataract operations were performed in 2015.

___

Club foot operations

Operations for club foot provide the patient with the prospect of normal mobility and an independent life.

141 club foot operations were performed in 2015.

___

Gynecological surgery

Women with conditions such as fistula or uterine prolapse face rejection by their community. With treatment at our hospital ships, they can regain both health and dignity.

89 gynecological surgeries were performed in 2015.

___

Abdominal surgery

Often adults and children suffer from minor ailments that they cannot afford to have treated, and if left, these can become serious conditions. Free visceral surgery is made available to avert complications and allow patients to lead a healthy life.

276 major and minor visceral surgeries were performed in 2015.

___

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