DHAKA, Jan 27, 2022 (BSS) – Friendship Hospital Shyamnagar (FHS) designed by one of Bangladesh’s leading architects Kashef Chowdhury has won the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) international prize 2021.

The RIBA announced the biannual award on Wednesday that highlighted the worldwide projects that "demonstrate design excellence and social impact", said a Friendship Hospital press release here today.

The remote community hospital is situated in the coastal border district of Satkhira, less than 10 kilometers away from the national border, in a sub-district that is plagued by the impacts of climate change, including cyclones, floods and salinisation, it said.

The hospital launched in July 2018 is the centre of a three-tier healthcare system including clinics and community medics who take healthcare coverage to the doorsteps of unaddressed communities.

The jury commended the project's thoughtful and innovative design within a modest budget, its use of local craftsmanship, and its climate-resilient response.

Friendship’s founding Executive Director Runa Khan expressed gratitude to all on winning the prestigious award.

Sufficient combination of sunlight, air, soil and environment has made the Friendship Hospital Shyamnagar’s beauty livelier, she said, adding that this hospital has ignited the hope of leading a decent life for the people affected by the climate change.