Our Journey
How a Small Vision Became a Growing Movement
OUR JOURNEY
The £1 Hospital: Our Journey So Far
The £1 Hospital is a charity registered in England and Wales and with Bangladesh’s NGO Affairs Bureau. It began with the vision of Dr M. S. Ali, who dreamed of making high-quality, accessible healthcare available to the poorest and most vulnerable communities in Bangladesh. With the support of British and British Bangladeshi professionals, his vision grew into a shared mission.
Our guiding vision is “Affordable Healthcare for All — Free for the Poorest.”
A Journey of Service and Progress
11 June 2015
The £1 Hospital was established as a UK charity, turning Dr Ali’s vision into a shared commitment to accessible healthcare.
21 January 2017
The charity held its official launch at the Lord Mayor’s Banqueting Hall in Portsmouth. The event was hosted by Cllr David Fuller, then Lord Mayor of Portsmouth.
10 March 2017
The charity launched its Friday Free Clinic in Bishwanath, Sylhet, helping local people access free healthcare.
29 December 2020
The initial 34.5 decimals of land for the hospital project were formally registered.
30 December 2022
Work began on a temporary site shed, marking an important step in the development of the hospital site.
6 February 2023
Construction of the planned six-storey hospital building began following an inaugural programme at the site.
12 May 2025
The charity was registered with Bangladesh’s NGO Affairs Bureau, strengthening its ability to develop and deliver its work in Bangladesh.
Looking Ahead
Work is progressing on the One Pound General Hospital (OPGH) in Bishwanath. We aim to begin limited outpatient and primary healthcare services in January 2027, Insha’Allah, as part of our longer-term plan to develop a 50-bed charitable hospital.
Be Part of the Journey
This progress has been made possible by the dedication of our board members and teams in the UK and Bangladesh, and by the generosity of our donors, friends and well-wishers around the world. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has helped bring this vision closer to reality.
Together, we can help make affordable healthcare accessible to more people.
Our Progress So Far
Every milestone reached is a testament to what we can achieve when we unite. From our humble foundation to securing land for a general hospital, here is our journey.
ESTABLISHED JUNE 2015
Our Founding Roots
The £1 Hospital began with a vision that took root while Dr M. S. Ali was practising as a general practitioner in Bishwanath, Sylhet, during the 1990s. He saw people struggle to access healthcare because they could not afford even a small treatment cost—sometimes no more than the equivalent of £1. He witnessed the suffering this caused and, in some cases, people losing their lives because treatment was beyond their reach.
In June 2015, The £1 Hospital was established as a charity, turning Dr Ali’s long-held vision into reality with the support of people who shared his commitment to helping others. Together, they set out to make high-quality, accessible healthcare available to the poorest and most underserved communities in Bangladesh.
Our guiding vision is “Affordable Healthcare for All — Free for the Poorest.”
LAUNCHED 10 MARCH 2017
Free Friday Clinic Launch
Since 10 March 2017, we have actively translated our vision into real-world care. With the invaluable support of generous donors, the charity has continuously delivered free frontline medical services through the Free Friday Clinic in Biswanath, Sylhet, accompanied by regular mobile medical camps across rural regions.
UK & INTERNATIONAL TEAMS
A Growing Global Network
A dedicated, passionate board of trustees along with expert medical and administrative teams working tirelessly in both the UK and abroad are actively driving our operations. Their combined focus ensures complete transparency, absolute operational excellence, and high-impact field management.
139 DECIMAL LAND SECURED
Proposed OPGH Site
In a historic milestone for the project, 67 decimals of land in Bishwanath Sadar, Sylhet, have been registered for the proposed One Pound General Hospital (OPGH). Registration of a further 26 decimals is underway.
Securing this site brings us closer to establishing permanent, sustainable healthcare services for more than 10 million people across the region.
This journey has only been possible because of your generosity—and it continues with you.
The £1 Hospital is a British Charity registered in England and Wales on Charity reg. number 1162150.
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