Photo: BSS

By Al-Amin Shahriar

BHOLA, May 28, 2025 (BSS) – In the heart of Bhola’s remote char, where medical care has long been a distant dream, a beacon of hope has arrived - floating on the waters of the Tetulia River.

A state-of-the-art mobile hospital, backed by Saudi Arabia, is now delivering free healthcare to thousands of underserved residents. Equipped with modern medical facilities and staffed by dedicated professionals, this floating lifeline is transforming lives.

As word spreads, relief and joy ripple through the char communities, where access to healthcare has been a challenge for decades. With doctors, diagnostic services, and essential treatments now within reach, the initiative is bridging a vital gap and rewriting the narrative of healthcare in these isolated areas.

Authorities said this floating hospital is emerging as a beacon of hope, offering a full range of medical services. It is stationed in Pangasia village, located on the banks of the Tetulia River in West Elisha, Bhola Sadar Upazila, serving the community anchoring in a canal within the village.

The hospital, staffed by 35 members, including three doctors, provides everything from primary care to diagnostics - all free of charge. Locals have welcomed the hospital with enthusiasm, seeing it as a lifeline for medical care at their fingertips.

Speaking about the initiative, Dr Sanjeev Pramanik, the hospital’s lead physician, shared that the project was originally spearheaded by Saudi Arabia’s former King, Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, whose generosity has kept it running. “The facility continues to provide free medical aid to poor, marginalized people living in Bhola’s char areas,” he said.

Prominent persons have praised the initiative for ensuring quality healthcare access in these remote regions.

Bhola Civil Surgeon Dr Monirul Islam hailed the floating hospital as a groundbreaking effort, calling it a blessing for coastal villages that have long struggled with healthcare shortages.

Mir Mosharraf Ami, convener of Bhola’s social organization Ba-Dwip Forum, emphasized the need for more such hospitals to ensure healthcare services to the area’s impoverished communities.

Echoing him, Mubashir Ullah Chowdhury, convener of the district civic committee, described the hospital’s services as a beacon of hope for the char’s residents.

Sources said Saudi Arabia continues to financially support the floating hospital, a concept first introduced by King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, who established several mobile hospitals on floating platforms.

The Bangladesh government is overseeing the project’s implementation, with plans to integrate the floating hospitals into the national healthcare system within five years.

According to hospital authorities, around 1,000 patients receive medical treatment here daily, underscoring its vital role in addressing healthcare needs in Bhola’s remote char areas.