Unilever officials visit Lifebuoy Friendship Hospital in Gaibandha
The hospital has treated nearly 8 lakh patients and reached around 15 million people through healthcare programmes since its launch.
Officials of Unilever Bangladesh Limited (UBL) yesterday (17 September) visited Lifebuoy Friendship Hospital at Kamarjani Ghat on the Brahmaputra River in Gaibandha to observe its healthcare services for people in remote char areas.
The delegation, led by Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Ruhul Quddus Khan, included members of the company's management committee. Friendship Deputy Director Dr Rafi Abul Hasnat Siddiqui and hospital Programme Manager Dr Ziaul Karim were also present.
Supported by UBL, the floating hospital has provided healthcare to char communities since 2002. It moves every few months, travelling about 120km by river to reach people affected by poverty and river erosion. It is currently anchored at Kamarjani Char.
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The hospital was established to serve communities in the Jamuna chars of Gaibandha, Sirajganj and Bogura, but also receives hundreds of patients daily from remote areas of several districts.
According to hospital authorities, it has treated nearly 8,00,000 patients and reached around 15 million people through its healthcare programmes as of April 2026.
Its services include cervical cancer screening and initial treatment, burn care, cleft lip and palate surgery, cataract surgery, orthopaedic treatment and treatment of childbirth-related complications.
The hospital also organises 30-35 international health camps annually, where foreign specialist doctors work with local physicians and health workers.
After the visit, Ruhul Quddus Khan said access to healthcare was essential for people's wellbeing and family security.
"We believe good health is very important for people. Healthy people strengthen their families and society. That is why we have been supporting this humanitarian initiative for a long time," he said.
He urged other major business groups to join such initiatives, saying collective efforts could expand healthcare access for disadvantaged communities.
