For our medical program you will be placed in a medical clinic or a hospital, depending on your previous experience and training. You will usually shadow doctors and other healthcare workers, observing how the healthcare system in Tanzania works and performing basic care for patients under supervision. You will typically work in a support role as directed by a clinic or hospital staff.

As a step contributing to the advancement of the equipment, appliances, facilities, and quality of these hospitals, in these placements we charge an extra 100 USD, which is a one-time fee for all the time you will be on the program. This is directly transferred to the institutions and centers to develop their facilities and service provision.

One to two times per week, we perform medical outreach with a local organization. This involves traveling to a rural village, typically over rough dirt roads. We will either visit several homes and provide medical treatment to the families, or travel to one location where families will be informed to come to us. This program is funded by the volunteers. Each time we do medical outreach, there will be a fee to cover the cost of transportation, as well as the per diem cost of having a community health worker or government doctor in attendance. We sometimes contribute to transportation for patients who need to travel to the hospital immediately. The fee depends on the number of volunteers, as well as the type and number of vehicles we must bring. In the past, it has ranged from approximately $5 to $15 per volunteer.

Our medical programs provide you with the opportunity to expand your skills, a deeper understanding of global health issues, and will help you learn how to provide the best medical care possible with limited resources. For this program we are looking for people with an open mind, a willingness to learn, and a kind heart.

We are open to doctors, nurses, medical or nursing students with two years of school, paramedics, EMT’s, and CNA’s. Exact placement will depend on your skills and experience. Let us know your specialty, and we will ensure that you have a wonderful placement. In addition, we ask for a copy of your transcript showing your school experience or a license, two reference letters from a professor or supervisor in the medical field, and a CV or resume explaining your experience. This program has an additional fee of $80 per week to cover supervision and logistics of placement.

What to expect

Even if you are qualified and experienced, be open to new ways of doing things. Given the sensitivity of the project, it is with certainty that things will be done differently than what you are used to; adapt and be proactive. Instead of accusing something as being wrong, demonstrate a better way. Inadequate resources, less staff, and more patients are possible challenges. If you lack the knowledge, do no insist on doing things your way, as it is important to not put patients at risk.

What not to expect

“Easy does it” won’t apply to this project. Trust is to be earned; the doctors need to be assured that you are qualified and experienced enough to be involved in their work day, let alone see patients. There are hectic days and slow days. Participate fully and get involved. You will not be alone.

What are the doctors like?

This is a sensitive project and the placements have different conditions. It will take time to know the people and cope with the momentum. Involve yourself in the specified activities so you can build relationships and trust with people. The staff are friendly, so make sure you make time for them in order to understand the way they do things. Reach out to them, sharing your experiences and knowledge.

What are the patients like?

Depending on the placement and institution, the patients will be different. Tanzanians are generally friendly and very appreciative. The language barriers and the large number of patients can be overwhelming, but the support from local staff can be empowering in conducting activities.

Duties and Tasks

As a volunteer, you will be observing the practices while embracing different approaches. It is important to embrace the culture and support the doctors and other staff. You might get firsthand experience with the patients, but if not, focus on where you can be more useful or visit other placements where you are more needed.

Challenges
– Culture differences, specifically the different approaches to life.
– Different living conditions (for example: the weather, availability of basic resources such as water and electricity, consumer goods and distance to services).
– Transportation  (inadequate transport especially in the rural areas, bumpy rides while travelling with boda boda and congested village buses)
– Expectations. With high expectations, it is easy to be disappointed by the lags and reluctance to be involved, especially with impatience to reach perfection.
– Different expertise approaches in regard to limited resources.

Positives
– Learn how to sustain the needs of others with inadequate resources
– Attain new skills and experiences to further your profession
– Arusha is a beautiful tourist city with much to appreciate. The people are welcoming, and the landscape and sceneries are magnificent.
– Take the opportunity to travel and socialize on the weekends. There are many spots for leisure and fun.

What to bring
You are not required to bring anything to your volunteer placements, but if you feel like donating and sharing, it will be appreciated. There are many needs due to the limited resources the hospitals have, ranging from new machinery, completing construction of the institutions, to products like gloves, surgical gloves, pain killers, gauze, iodine, sanitizers, surgical blades, medical tapes, Band-Aids, sterilization tools and the likes.