Medical Volunteering

Age requirement: 18 years + 

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Number of volunteers: Solo individuals, Couples & Groups are welcome.

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Duration: From 2 weeks to 6 months.

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Start date: No specific start date, start at any time during the year.

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Fees:

1. $150 registration fee

2. $125 per week 

   • Includes accommodation​

   • Placement preparation

   • Airport pick up + drop off

   • Free 1 hour Swahili Language class with an experience professional instructor

3. Hospital contribution fee $100 or $25 per week

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Hospitals in Tanzania are unlike those back home. Many times you will come across patients sharing beds, hospitals unable to provide food for patients, adequate medication or enough staff to deal with all the cases. There will be times when you are shocked by the conditions you see people have to endure to receive what we might view as sub par care or basic care. Remember, that the country is poor, with limited funding and very few resources therefore they suffer from a high mortality rate and frequent outbreaks of disease. You will see a lot of suffering and you must have the ability to maintain your professionalism and remain strong minded and compassionate.

Depending on your area of interest and your skills, you will be matched with an appropriate clinical area/hospital. The learning opportunities are bountiful as long as you stay focused and flexible in your approached.

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It takes truly committed people to this abroad! With medical volunteering, you will be volunteering to work with patients or in a healthcare specific area on a voluntary basis.

 

Your role:

• Work with the medical or nursing team to see patients and make assessments and evaluations

• Help with basic medical procedures e.g taking vitals, medicine administration, documentation

• Help organise and prepare the department ready for new patients

• Provide care and reassurance to patients

 

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Unlike other types of volunteering, medical volunteering is a difficult, challenging and profound area. Medical volunteers will witness and experience things other volunteers never will or what they never would have at home. This can be a huge challenge as often times volunteers experience situations that can leave them feeling sad, shocked or confused. But for the most part volunteers are often left amazed at the resilience of their patients and at the skill and dedication of their new colleagues.