Volunteer Opportunities in Africa
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Are you a medical student or professional looking for volunteer opportunities in Africa? Do you want to make a difference by treating people in countries where medical facilities are not well developed? Volunteering Solutions, in association with local healthcare centers and public clinics, offers the best medical volunteer programs in various countries to provide you with a first-hand learning experience and the chance to contribute as a volunteer.
Peru
As a developing nation with a considerable underprivileged population, Peru faces drawbacks in its healthcare system. People living in rural areas often suffer from inadequate care and treatment. By volunteering in Cusco, you will assist the professional doctor-in-charge, shadowing and assisting in different medical procedures. You may be asked to suture wounds, give vaccinations, take vital signs of patients, and provide various forms of assistance to doctors and nurses.
Location: Cusco
Eligibility: Minimum 18 years old, with a medical education background
Duration: Minimum 2 weeks – maximum of 24 weeks
South Africa
While South Africa has both private and public healthcare systems, the public system serves the majority of the population but is chronically underfunded and understaffed. By volunteering in Cape Town, you will work in healthcare clinics and centers that cater to the poorer section of society who cannot afford private medical care. Your tasks may include participating in HIV/AIDS awareness programs, special childcare, healthy living initiatives, and day-to-day medical care.
Location: Cape Town
Eligibility: Minimum 18 years old, with a medical education background
Duration: Minimum 2 weeks – maximum of 24 weeks
Tanzania
The healthcare scenario in Tanzania is not as developed as in the West, particularly in rural areas where people lack access to adequate facilities. By volunteering in Arusha or Zanzibar, you can work in healthcare centers, medical clinics, and hospitals where the staff is often inadequate. Your tasks may include shadowing professionals, suturing wounds, giving vaccinations, and choosing a preferred department such as the maternity ward, dental department, or physiotherapy.
Location: Arusha and Zanzibar
Eligibility: Minimum 18 years old, with a medical education background
Duration: Minimum 1 week – maximum of 24 weeks (Arusha) and a maximum of 12 weeks (Zanzibar)
Cambodia
As a developing country, Cambodia’s healthcare system is still inadequate, particularly in rural areas. By volunteering in Phnom Penh, you will work in local city hospitals and clinics, shadowing doctors and nurses and carrying out tasks such as suturing wounds, giving vaccinations, and conducting routine patient check-ups. This is an opportunity to serve the Cambodian society and learn about their history, culture, and lifestyle.
Location: Phnom Penh
Eligibility: Minimum 18 years old, with a medical education background
Duration: Minimum 2 weeks – maximum of 24 weeks
Ghana
In Ghana, the healthcare system varies across the country, with rural areas often lacking modern healthcare facilities. By volunteering in Tamale, you will work alongside doctors, nurses, and local staff in public hospitals and community clinics. Tasks can include working in areas such as maternal health, mental health, surgery, laboratories, counseling, and testing. This is an opportunity for medical students to gain first-hand learning experience and for professionals to understand the medical conditions in Ghana.
Location: Tamale
Eligibility: Minimum 18 years old, with a medical education background
Duration: Minimum 1 week – maximum of 24 weeks
Kenya
Kenya’s healthcare system is structured hierarchically, with private hospitals at the top and local dispensaries and community healthcare clinics at the lowest level. Many people in slum areas lack access to proper healthcare, leading to widespread diseases. By volunteering in Nairobi, you will work in medical clinics, dispensaries, and hospitals, shadowing professionals and carrying out daily tasks based on your experience and knowledge.
Location: Nairobi
Eligibility: Minimum 18 years old, with a medical education background
Duration: Minimum 1 week – maximum of 24 weeks
Uganda
Uganda faces communicable diseases and a lack of adequate healthcare facilities. By volunteering in the Kampala region, you will work in a healthcare center that offers opportunities in various departments such as radiology, dental, pediatric, surgery, maternity, and more. Work hours range from 4-6 hours a day, with the possibility of community healthcare camps on weekends. This is an opportunity to contribute as a medical volunteer and make a difference in the lives of people in Uganda.
Location: Kampala Region
Eligibility: Minimum 18 years old, with a medical education background
Duration: Minimum 1 week – maximum of 18 weeks
Philippines
In the rural areas outside Tacloban City, public clinics face a shortage of manpower and skilled doctors. By volunteering in Tacloban, you will assist clinic staff and doctors with regular healthcare activities and can also conduct healthcare camps and awareness programs. This program also involves other public health projects such as annual medical missions or check-ups for the rural population. This is a chance to contribute as a medical volunteer and make a difference in the lives of people in the Philippines.
Location: Tacloban
Eligibility: Minimum 18 years old, with a medical education background
Duration: Minimum 4 weeks – maximum of 24 weeks
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka offers free healthcare to all its citizens, making the public sector well developed and larger than the private sector. By volunteering in Karapitiya and Galle, you will gain comprehensive insight into the medical system of Sri Lanka. This program caters to medical and nursing participants of all levels, providing learning opportunities and exposure to a wide range of cases. Note that the experience is mainly observation-based, but some participants may have the opportunity for more hands-on experience.
Location: Karapitiya & Galle
Eligibility: Minimum 18 years old, with a medical education background
Duration: Minimum 1 week – maximum of 24 weeks
Now that you know about these volunteer opportunities in Africa, you can choose the destination where you wish to go and volunteer. For more information and to book your program, you can contact Project Kindy. Follow them on Instagram for travel inspiration and join their Facebook page to stay updated about volunteers’ journeys at the project sites. Volunteer in Africa and spread the joy of being healthy!
