The Hope Floats Initiative’s Floating Clinic Provides Free Medical Care in Remote Nigeria

With health care facilities lacking in Lagos, Nigeria, <a href="http://openarchitecturenetwork.org/node/3713">The Hope Floats Initiative</a> has come up with an innovative solution: a <a href="http://inhabitat.com/waterstudio-nl-proposes-floating-city-apps-to-aid-slums-affected-by-rising-sea-levels/wet-slum-city-apps-waterstudio-3/" target="_blank">floating, mobile clinic</a>. The Makoko Amphibious Clinic/Community Center can be docked in various locations to provide free medical care to areas with no hospital facilities. Designed by Akin Afolayan, the low-cost floating clinic provides an off-grid medical facility, using photovoltaic power and other green practices.

The prototype Amphibious Clinic has a team of health professionals, headed by Dr. Simeon Afolayan. With support by partners AFH Atlanta and Yaba Local Government Development Authority in Lagos, the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nikes-skate-park-barge-floats-atop-nycs-east-river-with-skaters-aboard-photos/" target="_blank">floating clinic</a> has already provided 22 free surgeries to locals in need.

The clinic itself is made up of three corrugated metal modules that join together to make one long structure.

The modules make the clinic easy to disassemble and reassemble just about anywhere, before <a href="http://inhabitat.com/the-exbury-egg-self-sustaining-floating-office-space-launches-in-the-uk/" target="_blank">launched at a docking point</a>. Local materials are used, as well as local labor- the construction provided employment to a few dozen local youths, also teaching them building skills.

Inside, the clinic is like with LED lights donated by RedBirdLED, and powered by a rooftop photovoltaic system.

Skylights and ample windows provide ample natural lighting and ventilation, keeping energy usage low. Rain water collection also helps to keep the environmental impact low, as does an on-board composting toilet.

The clinic prototype costs an affordable $15,000 USD, which will hopefully spur other <a href="http://inhabitat.com/qatar-unveils-luxurious-off-grid-floating-hotels-for-2022-world-cup/" target="_blank">floating clinics</a> to pop up in areas of need around the world.