Medical Health Assistant
Coordinator | Josh
Coordinator | Josh
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Choose new departure dates or change to a different volunteer program at no extra costs.
Highlights
Volunteer in Vietnam and get the chance to gain lifetime experiences
Join the a fantastic opportunity and gain first-hand exposure and insight into the Vietnamese health care system
Gain valuable and unforgettable experience towards dealing with patients
Learn and obeserve the local staff in their daily operations
Soak up the atmosphere for entertainment in itself and visit many fascinating places
PMGY’s Medical Volunteer Programme in Vietnam offers a fantastic opportunity to gain first-hand exposure and insight into the Vietnamese health care system
This volunteer program is especially suitable for:
Age 18+
Singles
Couples
PMGY’s Medical Volunteer Programme in Vietnam offers a fantastic opportunity to gain first-hand exposure and insight into the Vietnamese health care system, by learning from local staff and getting involved in supporting them.
The health status of the Vietnamese has
seen significant improvements across the last 30 years. This has largely
mirrored rapid economic development that followed economic and
political reforms, launched in 1986. This has led to increased life
expectancies at birth and decreased infant mortality rates. However,
despite these advances, the workforce still remains insufficient to
effectively meet the needs of the population. In 2015, on average across
Vietnam, there were 8 physicians per 10,000 patients. However, during
the same time period, there were 28 physicians per 10,000 in the UK and
26 per 10,000 in the US. The statistic was also significantly lower
compared to other countries across South East Asia. This has meant that
in recent years, too many patients for medical facilities has been an
increasing problem.
Your level of involvement at the project is dictated by medical experience, duration of programme and willingness to get involved. The medical staff are accountable for you whilst you’re under their supervision, so it is completely up to them if you are permitted and want to get involved in hands-on procedures. Whilst previous PMGY volunteers have been given the chance to administer IV injections, dress wounds etc, we can never guarantee or promote hands-on involvement for participants regardless of their medical experience or background.
Generally speaking those with little or no medical experience assume a largely observational role. If you are studying medically related degree, then you should have more opportunity to undertake some more basic hands-on involvement. However, to reiterate we can never guarantee or endorse hands-on experience should you choose to get hands-on, as the decision ultimately lies with the medical staff.
Typical day
Our volunteers will spend time within Vietnam National Children’s Hospital (VNCH). VNCH is Vietnam’s leading paediatric hospital, serving a population of 30 million people across central and Northern Vietnam. The hospital was established in 1969 as the ‘Institute for the Protection of Children’s Health’ before adopting its present name in 1997. Currently, the hospital has 1,500 beds, organising services for 1,500 inpatients and 3,000-4,000 outpatients a day.
Some of the areas in which our volunteers may be able to gain exposure include out-patient examination, physiotherapy rehabilitation, respiratory diseases, oncology, nephrology, endocrinology, haematology, cardiology, gastroenterology, surgery and surgical recovery. Participants will usually observe in one department per week. There is a recommendation to join the project for between 2-4 weeks, although up to 8 weeks is possible.
PMGY Vietnam Medical Volunteers may have the opportunity to partake in some or all of the following:
– Participate in bed-side interactive teaching sessions, ward rounds, ward classes and group discussions
– Attend casualty nights to observe acute case management
– Attend lectures, seminars, symposia
– Visit clinics, intensive care units
– Observe surgeries at the operation theatre
– Visit units such as endoscopy
– Visit blood bank, outpatient department
– Attend regular clinical meetings
Whilst volunteering in Vietnam, you may encounter examples of the following: health defects consequent of Agent Orange, tuberculosis, respiratory infection, malnutrition, and tropical disease.
Free-time activities
PMGY volunteers are based in a quiet, friendly neighbourhood approximately 45 minutes from the Old Quarter of Hanoi. There is everything you need within walking distance of the Volunteer House: ATMs, supermarkets, laundrettes, chemists, as well as some great cafes and local bars.
High-octane Hanoi is a feast for the
senses. The first thing that hits you is the sound of swarms of buzzing
motorbikes followed swiftly by the amazing wafts and tastes of
incredible street food found throughout the city. Full of distinctive
character as well as a confident buzz, Hanoi is now considered a pretty
cool city.
For many, simply being in Hanoi and
soaking up the atmosphere is entertainment in itself but there are many
fascinating places for you to visit whilst you’re not volunteering both
in the city and further afield.
Sightseeing
Shopping/
Souvenirs
Souvenirs
Museum/
Opera
Opera
Yoga/
Meditation
Meditation
Requirements
In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.
You need to speak English (basic level)
required
Medicine at level
No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.
Your helping hand will be required on
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
from
07:00
- 16:30
What's Included
ACCOMMODATION (VOLUNTEER HOUSE)
MEALS (BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER)
AIRPORT PICK UP (24 HOURS
IN-COUNTRY ORIENTATION
PUBLIC TRANSPORT TO PROJECT
24 HOUR IN-COUNTRY SUPPORT
24 HOUR UK-BASED EMERGENCY SUPPORT
DEDICATED PMGY TRAVEL MENTOR
UNLIMITED EMAIL & TELEPHONE SUPPORT
VOLUNTEER HANDBOOK
LIVE PRE-DEPARTURE WEBINARS
100% FINANCIAL PROTECTION
REGULAR PROGRAMME INSPECTION
AIRPORT PICK UP (24 HOURS)
During your time in Vietnam you will stay at our Volunteer House. The Volunteer House is located within a quiet and friendly neighbourhood approximately a 45 minute bus journey from the Old Quarter of Hanoi – which is the main tourist area. Rooms are shared (four to eight per room – bunk beds), single sex only and all rooms have air-conditioning. The bathrooms are shared and each has a western style toilet and shower (hot water provided in winter months). The house has a communal kitchen with a fridge, oven and washing machine (available free of charge).
Free drinking water is available 24/7. There is also a lounge where you can hang out. Wi-Fi is also available in certain parts of the house including the communal area. Each volunteer is also provided with a locker to store away valuable items and there are wardrobes to hang your clothes. Volunteers are asked to pay a deposit of 50,000 VND or $5 US Dollars for the locker key which can be reclaimed at the end of your programme.
Each volunteer is provided with a house key (subject to a deposit of $5 US Dollars) so the house is accessible at all time and to ensure general volunteer safety. We also have a member of staff (usually a nanny or an intern from the local team) present in the house overnight. Please note if you arrive late in the evening on the arrival day at our Volunteer House then it is likely our local team will not be present and you will meet them the following day.
Our local team have an office on the ground floor of the house, which makes for a great atmosphere and ensures volunteers are well supported throughout their stay. There is everything you need within walking distance of the Volunteer House: ATMs, supermarkets, laundrettes, chemists etc. There are also some great cafes and local bars. A taxi to the main tourist part of Hanoi from the Volunteer House costs around $10 – which can be split between fellow volunteers.
During our busiest months (June to September) you may be placed at alternative accommodation. This could be a nearby guesthouse or one of our summer Volunteer Houses.
You will be provided with three meals a day, which will be traditional Vietnamese dishes – this means a lot of rice! All food will be nutritious and freshly cooked.
For breakfast you can expect fruit toast and tea/coffee. Some projects will provide you lunch, whereas for others you will eat at the Volunteer House. Lunch in the house is usually always a Vietnamese dish, which will include soup, rice, vegetables and sometimes meat or fish. For projects a little further afield, you can eat lunch at a local restuarant and then be reimbursed for the value of your lunch up to 40,000 VND.
Dinner is served at the Volunteer House. We have cooks at the house who will freshly prepare your meals. Generally speaking meals are served in the early evenings and usually divided into equal portions by the nannies to ensure everyone gets an equal amount should volunteers choose to eat later in the evening time.
You can expect a variety of dishes, so there will be always something to suit even the fussiest eaters! A typical meal will have pork, fish, beef or chicken and tofu or egg and at least 2 different kinds of vegetable dishes, along with rice and soup. Ad hoc we also serve a western meal – our volunteers always appreciate this.
If you fancy eating out there are plenty of cafes and local amenities in the surrounding area or you can take a bus or taxi into the main tourist area, the Old Quarter, in the city of Hanoi.
Good access at the project site
Visa, flights, travel insurance or vaccinations are NOT included in the program fees.
The nearest airport is Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) in Hanoi. We assist you to find cheap flights to Vietnam.
Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Vietnam provides security and is a plus to have.
If you are intending to volunteer in Vietnam you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Vietnam.
Dates & Fees
NO CREDIT CARD FEES
Details on arrival
1st and 3rd Wednesday every month
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
2 - 8 weeks
Program fees
2 weeks
(min. stay)
$924
3 weeks
$1,134
4 weeks
$1,344
6 weeks
$1,764
8 weeks
(max. stay)
$2,184
Average fees
$368
/week
Please note that the above shown program fees are estimated.
Plan My Gap Year
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What are people saying about Volunteer World?
Medical Health Assistant
PMGY’s Medical Volunteer Programme in Vietnam offers a fantastic opportunity to gain first-hand exposure and insight into the Vietnamese health care system
$368/week
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