Sitting beside him at the congested waiting room at the ship were Mannan,45, Kalam,35, Mahbub,30, Monir,10, Monwara, 45, Rashida,30, Mamela,35 and Rabeya, 22. They were all praise for doctors and other staff at MVHS-Shapla Ship Clinic run by Terre Des Hommes of Netherlands under its Coastal Island Health Project. It has all facilities for treatment of common diseases and minor operation.

The waiting room was crammed with women, children and men of different ages. Long queues stretched beyond the corridor.

The floating hospital moves from place to place and provides medical services to poor people in riverine Patuakhali district since 2000. It is of great help to the people of remote shoal areas as government hospitals are far away and hard to reach.

Marium, 18, cradling her six-month daughter, was preparing to leave. She came for treatment of her frail daughter. The doctor told her she will be alright if she is fed enough breast milk.

"This is a good advice I did not know. They (doctor) also advised me to take vegetables. If I take enough good food, my daughter will get enough milk", the smiling mother said.

Many women like her were happy after getting free medicine or advice.

Abul Kalam Azad, manager of the clinic, said over 200 patients came to the hospital for treatment every day.

About 3,00,000 patients have been treated since January 2000.

"Those who went to quacks earlier now come here for free advice or medicine'

"If necessary, we refer patients to upazila health complexes or hospitals in the district town," he said.

There are three doctors including a female one at the hospital, all well trained.

Common diseases including cardiac problems, skin diseases, ENT problems, rheumatic problem are treated at the hospital. Minor surgery is also done. Besides family planning and health education services are provided.

Only Tk 10 is realised as registration fees from each patient.

The clinic is providing service six days a week in different places in Galachipa and Kalapara upazilas in the district. It is available at Amkhola Bazar on Saturday, at Baliatali Bazar on Sunday, at Tegachia Bazar on Monday, at Panptty Bazar on Tuesday, at Tulataly Bazar on Wednesday and at Bazar Char on Thursday.

It has a well-equipped pathological laboratory where patients can test blood, urine and stool at nominal costs. There are modern ECG machines, auto analyser machines, glucometer and nebuliser machine.

All the 23 staff including doctors are available during day time six days a week. An team from abroad evaluates their activities after every three months.