At Babuganj upazila's Mirganj river, a three-storey ship was spotted anchored at the dock during a recent visit by this correspondent. What seemed like a passenger vessel at first glance turned out to be a floating medical facility that treats some 90-150 patients a day.

The "Impact Jibontari" is a forty-foot long ship that functions as a hospital, specialising in eye treatment, along with ear-nose-and-throat services.

"The number of patients is high in Barishal region, and many of them are not affluent enough to afford healthcare," said Md Alauddin, administrator of Impact Jibontari Hospital (IJH).

This is especially true for remote areas around rivers, he continued. "Our goal is to provide affordable medical services to the people in these areas."

But many also come to the hospital from far and wide to avail medical services at a comparatively low cost.

"I came here from Barishal city as I have severe ear pain," said Aroti Majumder (65).

Sanjoy (27)  said he came to the hospital with his club foot troubles from  Patuakhali's Mirjaganj upazila.

"Most patients come here with retinal issues, and some with nose, ear and throat, and club foot issues," said Dr Mahatab Hossain of the hospital. "Besides some eye operations including cataract surgery, children with orthopaedic birth defects are operated here at a cheap cost."

"For outdoor, medical services are provided for Tk 50. Besides, cataract surgeries are done at Tk 3,000," Dr Mahatab added.

Apart from weekends and holidays, four doctors attend to patients every day.

"Even if someone is unable to pay, we still provide services. We do not approach our service commercially," said Alauddin.

According to IJH, Impact Foundation was established in 1993 in Bangladesh. The IJH was established later in 1999.

Its facilities include 10 beds and two operation theatres, and a speedboat to transport patients. So far, the organisation has provided services to about five lakh patients and at least one lakh patients have undergone surgery.

"But we cannot go to places that are too remote, or have low-hanging bridges," the administrator told The Daily Star. Praising the initiative, Dr  Monowar Hossain, civil surgeon of Barishal, said, "Many from rural areas can avail the hospital's services at a minimal cost."

He said in delivering much-needed medical care to remote communities at minimal patient cost, the floating hospital is indeed having an impact, improving many lives.