Recent activities
IFB Celebrates 25th Anniversary of Impact Jibon Tari Floating Hospital.
Healthcare, one of the basic and vital human rights, is often left unheard for those living in the riverine areas, who cannot access their health needs due to several reasons, namely their socio-economic vulnerability, un-availability of services, and the long distance of health facilities from their homes and so on. The unmet needs of these rural, marginalized populations led to the launching of the first-ever floating hospital in Bangladesh as well as in South Asia, the “Jibon Tari” floating hospital on the bank of the river Padma at Mawa Ghat of Munshigonj district.
The inauguration took place on 10th April 1999 in the presence of distinguished guests and dignitaries from home and abroad. Late Al hajj Abdus Samad Azad, the then foreign minister of the Government of Bangladesh, Mr. David C Walker, CBO CMG, the then British high commissioner in Bangladesh, late Sir John Wilson (CBE, DCL), the then chairman of UK Impact Foundation, Late Shafat Ahmed Chaudhuri, the founder Chairman of IFB, Late Mr. Anwarul Amin, the immediate past Chairman of IFB, Mr. Enam Ahmed Chaudhury, Chairman, IFB, Founder Trustees Dr. Rezaul Haque and Mr. Monsur Ahmed Choudhuri and many other distinguished guests and friends from UK, India, Nepal, Norway, Hong Kong were present at the inauguration ceremony along with local guests.
This April marks 25 years of service of the hospital which has until now completed 61 projects in 22 districts in Bangladesh. Currently situated at Madaripur Sadar Upazila of Madaripur district, on the bank of the river “Arial Khan” at Mohisher Chor, the hospital provides preventive and curative healthcare services for the under-served rural people living in the district. Despite the significant development in the economy and road communications over the last decades, there is still a need for “Jibon Tari” for its easily accessible, affordable, and quality services among the rural people, who cannot afford such services elsewhere.
Equipped with two marine generators for uninterrupted power and a water-purifying plant for safe water, the 40-meter-long boat hospital has an accommodation facility for 32 full-time residential staff members, including doctors, nurses, paramedics, medical technologists, engineers, and support staff. Modern medical and surgical equipment, two operation theatres, a patient ward, digital X-ray, and modern pathology at “Jibon Tari” enabled the continued provision of modern healthcare services to restore 44,343 eyesight; 4,418 hearing capacity; 5,430 correction of physical disabilities by orthopedic surgery; 1,089 cleft lip/palate surgery and 7,70,319 patient’s treatment at the OPD. The hospital has an ambulance and a speed boat for regular and emergency transportation of doctors, patients, medicines, etc.
The “Jibon Tari” is an innovative project of IMPACT Foundation Bangladesh (IFB), a charitable Trust, established in 1993, with a mandate of prevention and alleviation of avoidable disabilities among the rural marginalized and riverine people. IFB is registered with the NGO Affairs Bureau, Government of Bangladesh for receiving overseas assistance, and is committed to operating its hospitals in compliance with the rules, regulations, and guidelines of the Health Ministry of Bangladesh.
The boat hospital treats patients with physical disabilities by providing customized assistive devices, manufactured by its device center in Chuadanga. They also provide training to school teachers on how to conduct basic eye check-ups on students; community leaders on basic health and hygiene and Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) to reduce maternal and child health mortality and morbidity, and to improve the reproductive health of women. Other than providing medical and surgical services, the hospital is also engaged in creating mass awareness regarding disability and its prevention among the local rural people.
On this great occasion of the 25th anniversary, IFB acknowledges with deep appreciation and sincere thanks to the Government of Bangladesh, the NGO Affairs Bureau (NGOAB), office of the Directorate General of Health Services, District/Upazila level health officials, Administration and numerous grassroots organizations, the overseas and local surgeons, media, and all well-wishers and supporters for their continued support and being with the Foundation for making Impact “Jibon Tari” a success offering services at the doorstep of rural riverine people.
Dr. Hasib Mahmud
Chief Executive Officer
IMPACT Foundation Bangladesh
Celebration Programme Schedule
Message from IMPACT Foundation UK
on 25th Anniversary of
“Jibon Tari” Floating Hospital
Dear Mr. Enam Ahmed Chaudhury and all our friends at IMPACT Foundation Bangladesh,
Eid Mubarak, and our warmest congratulations on the momentous occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Jibon Tari Floating Hospital.
Over the past quarter of a century, we have admired your unwavering dedication and tireless efforts in bringing medical care and hope to people living along the riverbanks of Bangladesh. Despite many challenges, your commitment to serving the most marginalized communities has remained steadfast and is an inspiration to us all.
As we celebrate this milestone with you, we reflect upon the profound impact that the Jibon Tari has had on countless people, who will have had no other place to turn in their hour of need. We also happily recall the generous hospitality that so many of us from the UK have received from those who live and work on board – you may see a few of our special memories below.
TWishing the Jibon Tari many happy returns and long may she continue ‘taking the hospital to the people’!
Dr Brenda Luck (Chair) on behalf of the trustees, advisory council, and staff of IMPACT Foundation UK
Trustees Brenda Luck, Nicholas Astbury, Keith Barnard-Jones, Gordon Bennett, Claire Hicks, Robin d’O. Hope, David Jameson Evans, Lucinda Meagher, Michael O’Connell, Sal Rassam, Vinit Shah, Peter Simons, David Walker and Peter Webster Advisory Council Cis Anim, Cassie Lawn, John Mowbray, Anne Prance, Christina Rogers, John Scott, Judi Stagg, Colin Somerville, Elizabeth Somerville and Rob West Staff Sarah Smith, Pascale Noel, Tessa Brown, Jackson Medlow, Julia Nottingham, Lisa Waller, Rosie Wiltshire and Chloe Coker
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