Hospital Ships / Navio Assistência Hospitalar

A number of countries -- including at least Bolivia, Brazil, Camaroon, Chile, Peru, and Thailand -- operate small Hospital Launches that provide medical assistance to local populations living on rivers or lakes. These riverine and lacustrine craft are not sea going, and may be operated by either the country's Navy or some other governmental department. Two of the Brazilian vessels carry the traditional green cross markings of a civilian hospital ship.

The 2010 Joint Plan and Marine Equipment of Brazil (O Plano de Articulação e Equipamento da Marinha do Brasil - PAEMB), in line with the National Strategy of Defense (END - Estratégia Nacional de Defesa), sees that the Navy of Brazil (MB Marinha do Brasil) will incorporate a new Hospital Ship [Navio Hospital] with a major new capability to support amphibious operations.