Paikgachha:A three-month free medical camp has been inaugurated in Garuikhali, Paikgachha upazila, as part of the Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Foundation's friendship programme. This initiative aims to provide essential healthcare services to underprivileged residents of the area.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the inauguration was led by SM Monirul Hasan Bappi, Administrator of Khulna Zila Parishad and Member Secretary of the District Unit BNP. Bappi emphasized the significance of the camp, highlighting its role in delivering medical consultations and free medicines to mothers, the elderly, and other local residents. He underscored the importance of good health for social and national development and urged a collective effort to ensure healthcare access for remote communities.
The medical camp will operate from a floating hospital stationed on the Shibsa River, offering services such as cataract operations, minor surgeries, maternal and reproductive healthcare, dental care, and diagnostic services. This initiative is supported by the Islamic Development Bank under the King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Charity Programme, with the Directorate General of Health Services and the development organization Friendship implementing the project.
The King Abdullah Friendship Hospital project comprises five hospital ships, which have been providing healthcare in remote areas of Bangladesh since 2023. With around 30 crew members and healthcare professionals on each vessel, the hospitals have served 638,512 patients to date, significantly benefiting disadvantaged communities in coastal and riverine regions.