Are you thinking about volunteering abroad? Take on this amazing opportunity to add depth to your work experience and portfolio. Work with some of the most underprivileged, at risk and vulnerable people to learn compassion, care and the complexities of healthcare in a developing nation.
Medi Trip Placements
Founded and run by a qualified medical professional, Medi Trip is clinically led, medically focused and patient centred. At Medi Trip we are right at the heart of the community, we work only the very best local professionals and we distinguished in being able to use our healthcare experience and expertise to pick the most suitable settings for our professional volunteers to experience. When you volunteer with Medi Trip, your volunteer placement would have been chosen specifically to suit your area of interest. You will be supervised by professionals with years of local experience. Each of our placements are carefully assessed and selected for suitability to our professional volunteers, as well as how much contribution goes into the local health and social welfare.
Access to Essential Medicines in the Community
The Problem
The current state of the pharmaceutical industry is in a critical stage with access to even the most basic and essential medicines being limited to: affordability, geographical location and local availability. Pharmacists in Tanzania are struggling with a huge demand and low supply pressure of working in a hospital pharmacy. Drug manufacturing does exist in Tanzania, however much of the drugs being manufactured fall far below the standard for consumption and 41% of most medicines are exported out, only 39% reaching the local population. The lack of skilled staff with updated training and research also means there is lack of advancement and up to date knowledge on medicines management and recommendations. Drug shortages are very common, with poor standards of practice when administering drugs and poorly managed drug distribution, leaving the local population struggling when in need of essential drugs. Local colleagues are doing their very best to fill in critical gaps in hospital pharmacies and ensure that patients are receiving required treatment.
Your Mission
Work within the hospital pharmacy team to support them in the intensely busy hospital pharmacy. Work alongside the team to find out how they meet their daily requirements in this high pressure but exciting department.
Work in the hospital dispensary, dispensing medications to outpatients
Observe the way the team manage the drug stock
Assist with drug counselling patients in the HIV and CTC department
Assist with delivery of essential stock in the hospital in-patient wards
Assist with delivery of health promotion and preventative education
Observe the effects of over-prescription, polypharmacy and use of broad spectrum antibiotics on unspecified illnesses
Observe the widespread impacts of stock-outs of essential medicines in the community
Deliver small scale observational report on your experience and findings.
Will you make a difference?
Yes. Many bright and motivated volunteers have shone the light and shown the difference that can be made through volunteering. By providing time and care, volunteers introduce new ideas, hope and healthcare at ground level, adding to the work already being done by clinical teams.
This placement can include outreach/community work with children in the wider community which includes a choice of the following:
Please let us know which of the outreach projects you feel you will be most able to assist in. Contact us for more details on each project.
So, what exactly is medical volunteering?
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. 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. It truly is a hugely moving experience and one most Medi Trippers never forget.
Why Tanzania?
Tanzania is a bright, beautiful country to visit, the people are warm and gracious. Tanzania is multicultural and has hundreds of various tribes and ethnicities, the most famous being the proud nomadic Maasai tribe. Rich in culture and stunning to see, it really is an exciting part of Africa to visit. That is why thousands of travellers pass through every year. It's capital Dar Es Salaam sits on a breathtaking coastline, an hour from paradise island of Zanzibar. In the north, Arusha sits under the shadows of the great Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru. Tanzania is home to many famous Safari parks and game reserves where people from all over the world come to visit the spectacular wildlife.
Where will you stay?
You will stay in Siret Hostel, is an award winning bed and breakfast, one of the highest rated and reviewed guesthouses in Arusha. We provide safe, clean and comfortable accommodation, comfortable bedding, excellent breakfast and dinner and housekeeping. This will be a quiet and friendly neighbourhood only 15 minutes from the main hustle and bustle of town. You will have wifi, hot showers, 24 hour gated security, a domestic/cook (who will happily do your laundry for a small fee) and a coordinator who will ensure you settle in quickly and comfortably into your new town. This is a shared home where you will be staying with other volunteers and guests from across the world, so you will never be on your own in your new environment. The house is impeccably clean, well kept, modern and spacious.
How will you get around?
For your placement, you will travel like a local and walk or take public transport. You will need to set a small budget aside for this (around $1 per day by local minibuses, 4 to 5 days per week). It is important you are prepared and comfortable to travel around town, this is a demanding role that requires dedication.
To get around town you will have the choice of local taxis (we have contacts of affordable, trusted drivers) who can get you around town or you can use the famous ‘dala dala’ mini buses that most Tanzanians use to travel locally everyday. Some people adapt very fast and choose to walk around, it is safe to do so however like with any new environment we strongly advise you to be aware of pickpockets and thieves. Always be safe and ask your coordinator before going anywhere new to you.
Important VISA & Permit Information
You will be required to pay a for a VISA & Permit for voluntary work assignment. Please enquire for details.
HOSPITAL CONTRIBUTION
$50 usd per week. This is a payment all medical volunteers in Tanzania must make towards your host hospital (Ministry of Health, Tanzania).
Where do my fees go?
Most of your fees are spent locally. Fees ensure you have above standard accommodation, that you have a personal coordinator picking you up at the airport, orientating you and you have a coordinator day to day and your program is planned and facilitated specifically for you, to match your skills and get you to provide the very best to those that need you.
Please note:
We can also transfer you to the airport on your departure date for $50 USD. Please mention this in your application!
PICK UP POINTS:
Kilimanjaro Airport (KIA)
Arusha Airport (ARK)
Arusha Bus station
Do any fees go directly to the projects?
Yes they do. Although we don't necessarily think that making financial contributions solve the complex issues faced by deprived areas, we do make a charitable donation on your behalf to your project placement. This is not mandatory. We do this as we know how challenging it can be for our partners to host, supervise and very often teach volunteers. We want our partners to know they are valued and respected for their time as best we can.
What should I wear to placement?
Scrubs are a great option as they will be kind to you in the warm weather, easily identify you as a clinical volunteer and can be discarded if damaged or contaminated. Uniform that covers your legs and comfortable shoes that protect and cover your feet.
Should I bring any gloves, personal protective equipment or medical equipment?
Remember you're going into poorly resourced area, they will not have access to the same equipment you would at home. We usually encourage volunteers to bring a box of gloves for personal use and to share with colleagues, hand sanitizer and stethoscopes. Second hand medical books/information you may want to leave behind is also a simple but great resource to share with your colleagues and refer to together on placement.
What insurance should I get?
You should ensure you're adequately covered by comprehensive travel insurance for the duration of your stay. Speak to Volunteer World for advice on affordable insurance. You should also ensure you have indemnity insurance (UK: RCN membership for nurses/student nurses and BMA/MDU membership for doctors/medical students). For our EU, US and others please check with your employers/university/college or national employment body on indemnity.
What vaccinations should I get?
Please visit the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention for excellent up to date travel vaccination information on travelling to Tanzania.
Where can I get cheap flights?
There are dozens of great websites online for cheap flights. It is advisable to get your flights as early as possible to be able to logistically plan your trip. Speak to the Volunteer World for guidance on airlines and cheap flights.
Is Africa safe for me to travel alone? Do I need to be with other volunteers?
Regardless of whether you're volunteering on a clinical mission, you're still a tourist. Forward planning is key to protecting yourself from risk as you would anywhere in the world. As a group or a solo traveller from abroad, you will attract attention but, you will also have a great support system in your volunteer coordinators, fellow travellers/volunteers and supervisors. It's important to try and be conscientious of your new surroundings and respect and follow local customs as much as possible and insure yourself from any possible risks.
Africa is a large continent with every country varying greatly in local culture, customs, rules and regulations. Research your destination as much as possible and ask as many questions as possible. We would never place you at risk or in harm's way, however it is important you take ownership of your journey and behave responsibly.
Still have more questions? Ask away and get in touch!
