Standard Chartered and Bidyanondo launch expanded floating hospital service

Standard Chartered Bangladesh and Bidyanondo Foundation are partnering to deliver essential healthcare services to over 241,600 beneficiaries from isolated char, riverbank communities, and remote areas through the Jibon Kheya Floating Hospital. This initiative will navigate rivers in coastal divisions like Khulna and Barishal, northern regions such as Rajshahi and Rangpur, and Chattogram, providing healthcare and hosting health camps.

Staffed by healthcare professionals, the Jibon Kheya initially operated for 40 days, visiting 29 locations and serving over 14,000 people in areas including Khulna, Barishal, and Patuakhali. The new phase will offer land-based health camps providing general medicine, eye care, gynaecological services, and pathological tests. Each camp will offer basic health check-ups, specialist consultations, medication, and nutritious food. Post-treatment support will be available via call centre services, with emergency ambulance support.

Over the next three years, Jibon Kheya will operate for 96 days annually, making 96 stops and organising health camps across Bangladesh in all seasons.

Naser Ezaz Bijoy, CEO of Standard Chartered Bangladesh, highlighted the initiative's impact on remote communities with limited healthcare access and expressed gratitude for the partnership with Bidyanondo. Kishor Kumar Das, Chairman of Bidyanondo Foundation, emphasised the life-saving benefits of the mobile medical service in remote areas, which will improve public health and disease prevention.

Standard Chartered, a long-term partner in Bangladesh's progress, and Bidyanondo Foundation, a key player in social welfare, continue their commitment to supporting underserved communities through this impactful initiative.