Our Healthcare project gives an opportunity to volunteers to work in local clinics in Livingstone gaining practical experience on the ground while experiencing how the medical and healthcare system works in a developing country with a very different culture and socio-economic problems and of course poverty.
Many diseases are regularly found in most of sub-Sahara African countries including malaria, TB, cholera, HIV/AIDS, accident-related injuries, mental illness, etc so volunteers and interns get opportunities to experience situations on the ground that they may not have access to in Europe, the UK, USA and other western areas.
This project is designed to support and develop the local screening and testing for infectious diseases and improve public health for the well-being of the community of Livingstone. Early detection is key to effective treatment and reducing the spread of infection, making this work both impactful and essential.
A key area is also areas of obstetrics with labour and delivery being a key point plus antenatal care.
Please note that surgery does not take place in the clinics but in local hospitals and the only patients that might stay over in the wards are mothers that have just given birth for observation but that is normally 6 hours from birth.
Volunteers who are studying or qualified in any HealthCare are welcome, but we also accept school leavers that are looking to go into any of the Nursing or Medical studies. The areas you could assist in are antenatal care, labour and delivery, postnatal care, under five clinic, family planning, cervical cancer screening, screening for HIV, TB and other infectious diseases, laboratory, pharmacy, counselling, triage support, ultrasound, EMTCT, ART services, male circumcision, STI screening, sexual and reproductive health for men, NCD screening, outpatient, kidney function, lung function, emergency services and other related field.
The role of the volunteer is to support the local clinics and assist trained medical staff with their workload, help protect and promote the health of the clinic patients and the visiting public, take care of the patients, contribute to teaching and training other healthcare professionals if qualified, act as a positive role model, engaging with clinic colleagues to maintain and improve the safety and quality of patient care and use healthcare resources efficiently for the benefit of patients and the public, etc.
The clinics are 24/7 and sisters and nurses work shifts. The volunteers will do day shifts but can ask to assist on night shift if they choose.
