Expanding mobile healthcare for refugees in Greece
September 2025
To support access to essential medical care for refugees in Greece, Hospitainer recently delivered a compact, mobile medical unit to Boat Refugee Foundation (BRF). We hope this unit strengthens BRF’s ability to provide healthcare not only in refugee camps on Lesbos and Chios, but also on other Greek islands and in locations where medical needs are most urgent.
A project responding to evolving needs
This new step builds on a partnership that began several years ago, when BRF reached out to Hospitainer Foundation with an urgent request: they needed a large mobile consultation unit to support medical care in the refugee camp on Lesbos. That larger, more permanent unit was delivered in 2020 and has been in constant use ever since. Over time, it has grown into a small healthcare centre, with additional treatment spaces set up in tents around the 40ft trailer. The way it is used every day, clearly shows how great the need for accessible healthcare still is in refugee camps.
Following a visit from the Hospitainer Foundation, BRF shared this new request for a highly mobile unit. One that is easy to drive and can be used on different islands and in different camps. Supporting this next step felt like a natural continuation of the partnership.
About Boat Refugee Foundation
Boat Refugee Foundation is a Dutch humanitarian organisation providing emergency aid and medical care to refugees and displaced people. Well-known is the Greek island of Lesbos, which has been a key entry point for refugees arriving in Europe for many years. Active in Greece for several years, BRF focuses on delivering accessible healthcare directly in camps and surrounding areas, working closely with local partners and frontline medical teams. Their work is practical, people-centered, and rooted in dignity. More about their work can be found at Bootvluchteling.nl/en.
Designing and building of the mobile unit
In response to BRF’s specific request, Hospitainer Ltd. set to work. Not by offering a standard solution. But by carefully redeveloping an existing box-body van, previously used as a mobile school doctor unit. The vehicle was stripped back where necessary and comprehensively rebuilt, with significant upgrades throughout, to meet both BRF’s requirements and Hospitainer’s quality standards. The result is a thoughtfully re-engineered mobile clinic, tailored to its context and purpose.
Delivery and handover
At the end of the summer, the new mobile unit was officially handed over to Esther Vonk, Director of Boat Refugee Foundation. Immediately after the handover, the unit was transported to Greece, where it was warmly welcomed by the BRF team.
Hospitainer Foundation and Hospitainer’s role
Hospitainer Foundation supports humanitarian organisations by contributing to mobile healthcare solutions to improve access to medical care in vulnerable settings. In close cooperation with partners such as BRF, the Foundation helps enable practical medical support where it is needed most.
Hospitainer Ltd designed and delivered the mobile unit, drawing on its experience in creating robust, high-quality healthcare infrastructure for challenging environments. Together, Hospitainer Foundation and Hospitainer contribute to bringing healthcare closer to people in crisis situations.