Healthcare Volunteering Abroad
Volunteers who are currently active in the health industry or are determined to pursue a career in this industry can make a difference by volunteering for one of the many healthcare programs abroad. All over the world are countless people and communities in need of medical or nutritional support. Luckily, there are programs catering to different needs depending on the community. Discover a world of opportunity for volunteers who want to work abroad in the health sector and help out. Find an organization you fully support and travel to some of the most remote places. This is your chance to help communities and provide the medical services that everyone deserves.
Why volunteer for Health Services?
Here are a few facts provided by the
- Around 6.6 million children die under the age of 5 each year.
Almost all of these children could have been saved if they had access to simple and affordable interventions such as inexpensive vaccines, medication, clean water and sanitation. - Cardiovascular diseases are the leading causes of death in the world.
Around 30% of all deaths are caused by cardiovascular diseases. At least 80% of premature deaths from cardiovascular diseases can be prevented through a healthy diet, regular physical exercise and avoiding the use of tobacco. - 800 women die every day due to complications of pregnancy or childbirth.
Maternal mortality is prominent in poor regions. - Mental health disorders such as depression are among the 20 leading causes of disability worldwide.
Depression affects around 300 million people worldwide and this number is expected to increase. Less than half of people affected have access to adequate treatment and health care. - Almost 1 in 10 adults has diabetes. People with diabetes have increased risk of heart disease and stroke. Deaths due to diabetes have been increasing since 2000.
These numbers show that people worldwide are suffering but, when provided with the right treatment, they can be easily helped. Volunteer in health services and contribute to one of the many causes which will increase the quality of life of countless people. Find a meaningful cause to volunteer for and help the children of our generation toward a healthier life.
Those of us living in developed regions tend to take easy access to health services for granted. Undeveloped regions, however, haven’t received basic vaccinations and are developing illnesses caused by poor living standards. Without external healthcare, they don’t stand a chance of breaking the vicious circle.
Treating those less fortunate
Luckily, there are international healthcare volunteer organizations that have identified the need for healthcare in regions that need it most. They are passionate about creating opportunities to treat and educate those with limited resources and have targeted areas like Africa, Asia and South America.
International experience
Volunteer for a healthcare project abroad and take this chance to help the local community by giving them the health support they deserve. Countries like Africa, Asia, and South America are struggling to provide sufficient healthcare. Volunteer and support a program in one of these countries and support and save lives.
What will I do as a Volunteer for Health Services?
With over 100 different programs, there are seemingly endless healthcare volunteer opportunities. Each project has varying responsibilities and work tasks to be done. Some projects are focused on internships, experienced volunteers, or hospital volunteers, while others will also welcome enthusiasts without medical know-how but who are eager to help.
Medical Services
Depending on your specialty and career focus, you will select a program that matches those skills. If you have experience or are studying medicine, you will be granted more responsibilities during the program, such as being a hospital volunteer. This will allow you to treat patients and perform surgeries. Volunteers who can’t provide medical know-how will learn a lot from observing doctors on site and assisting them. Most programs focus on providing medical care and, depending on your experience, you can expect to help with the following tasks as a medical or hospital volunteer:
- Observing procedures
- Office administration
- Health data recording and storage
- Taking care of patients
- Reporting for out-patient care
- Changing bandages
- Monitoring recovery
- Checking blood pressure
- Emergency room support
- Weighing babies
- Applying first aid
This is might be one of the ideal medical volunteer opportunities for volunteers in medical school since they are able to gain valuable international insights alongside the practical medical know-how. Select the right program for you and help those in need.
Food and Nutrition
Food and nutrition is another pillar of the healthcare services. As a medical volunteer abroad in this field your tasks will be focused on:
- redistributing food to people who have limited access to food like homeless people
- nutrition programs to help communities transform their eating habits. By creating awareness about the dangers of processed foods and the importance of fresh whole foods, programs are helping prevent diseases like diabetes, obesity etc.
Healthcare Support
Prevention of diseases is becoming increasingly important in the healthcare sector. So many people in developing countries are still unaware of how they can support their health. Therefore, there are medical volunteer programs focused on providing local communities with health education. These medical volunteer opportunities will focus on bringing across the importance of basic prevention, nutrition and sanitation. Volunteers who have an interest in the health sector but don’t have the relevant expert knowledge yet, can volunteer for a health support program and gain both international and practical experience.
There’s so much to do with such limited resources. Become a medical volunteer abroad and be assured that there is more than enough volunteer work to do. There are plenty of opportunities to help those that truly need it. Africa, Asia, and South America offer interesting and versatile projects that will shine a different light on what you learned in school.
Best Places to Volunteer for Health Services
It’s developing countries like Africa that need your help the most because adequate healthcare is lacking in these areas. If you decide to become a medical volunteer abroad in the healthcare department, get ready for an adventure that will take you to exquisite places on our planet. Be prepared to meet the most gracious and optimistic people you’ll ever encounter despite their conditions. Let’s take a closer look at some of the options for your international volunteer journey.
Latin America
Volunteers eager to brush up on their Spanish can head to Latin America to contribute to the health services sector. Offer your help in culturally diverse places and grasp medical volunteer opportunities to explore the unique surroundings of countries like Bolivia, Ecuador, Guatemala and Mexico.
Africa
Asia
Volunteers eager to visit tourist hotspots like Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam while contributing to the local community and providing health support, this is your chance! Admire colorful India or explore destinations off the beaten track like Cambodia and Mongolia as you embark on your health journey.
100+ international healthcare programs worldwide are waiting for your help to guide patients on their journey to better health.
Benefits of volunteering for Health Services
It’s difficult to name drawbacks when talking about volunteering overseas, especially when it’s dedicated to helping people toward better health. By volunteering for health services, you are offering the healthcare sector the support they desperately need but let’s take a look at the benefits this experience will have in store for you:
Valuable Learning Opportunities
As a healthcare volunteer, you will have the opportunity to learn from experienced doctors. Those looking toward specialization can focus on that particular area while a volunteer without medical know-how can offer support in creating health awareness among the local community. You will learn a great deal about the culture, the country and what it entails to work in healthcare in the developing world. Rest assured that joining a project will teach you more than you can ever learn at school.
Meet other people
This is your chance to meet other like-minded individuals and form meaningful connections. Your volunteer adventure will allow you to get to know the locals as well as other volunteers who share the same interests. Joining a volunteer program may be the first step to a lifelong friendship.
New Experiences
Volunteering is a brilliant way to expand your perspective of the world. Issues that seemed like huge problems before may seem trivial after your medical volunteer journey. When you decide to join a project in health services, it will seem like the new experiences never end.
Happiness
Research shows that a sense of purpose has a very positive influence on people’s happiness. Volunteer in healthcare and you will experience first-hand how empowering it is to be able to guide others toward a healthier life.
Travel
This is your chance to explore the world and discover some of the most interesting places the world has to offer. You’ll be doing this while contributing to a meaningful cause. What are you waiting for? Grab your luggage and start packing!
Who can work as a volunteer in a healthcare project?
In case you’re not sure whether you would make a great healthcare professional, we have listed some characteristics that are great to have as a hospital volunteer or as a general medical volunteer abroad:
- Communication skills
- Emotional stability
- Empathy
- Flexibility
- Attention to detail
- Interpersonal skills
- Physical endurance
- Problem-solving skills
- Quick response to emergency situations
- Respect for people of all cultures
It's not necessary to tick all the boxes but it is a good guideline to help you decide whether you would be a good candidate for medical volunteering abroad. There will be a lot of opportunities to learn from this experience but also bear in mind that it will not always be easy. As a volunteer in the medical sector, you will witness things that your education might not have prepared you for.
What language skills are required?
English is the main language on all medical projects so it’s important that volunteers have a good understanding of English. This is important to communicate with the staff at the project center and other volunteers. For projects in South America, it would be great if you gain a basic knowledge of Spanish prior to going. Knowing some Spanish words will kickstart your healthcare volunteer adventure.
How do I get started as a Volunteer for Health Services?
You’re ready to start saving lives but you’re not quite sure where to start? First of all, have a look at the different programs in Africa, Asia, and South America, and pick a few that have caught your attention.
Once you’ve done that, let’s take a look at the first 3 steps which will send you on your way to health services volunteering abroad:
- Check whether there’s a match between you and the healthcare project by looking at their requirements.
- Take a look at the location of the project and decide whether it would be a location you are excited about.
- Contact the organization and see whether your expectations and your schedule match up.
Once this is sorted. Let’s take a look at the practical steps:
Insurance (Health & travel)
We recommend getting both health and travel insurance. In fact, this is even a requirement for most programs abroad. Get in touch with your program contact person to find out if an insurance plan is already in place for volunteers.
Visa, Passport, and Documentation
Once you know your destination, take the following 3 steps before setting off on your life-changing adventure!
- Look into the visa requirements for the country you will volunteer in.
- Make sure you have a valid passport considering the requirement of the host country.
- Make sure you prepare the correct documents to fulfill the visa application.
That’s it! You’re ready to explore the world and work your magic in the health services. You will learn a lot about the medical world, get to know a completely new culture and probably a great deal more about yourself. Start your life-changing experience that no school can ever prepare you for. Africa, Asia, and Latin America are waiting for your health support!