Volunteers
Can you spare two weeks to help a child? Because access to medical
services
in developing communities is often limited, health-care volunteers are
needed to provide basic services such as diabetes screenings, tooth
extractions, well-baby checks and pre-natal exams in local clinics,
village
dispensaries, and in homes through outreach programs.
Dentists, nurses, physicians and medical students are also needed to
perform
physical check-ups, test eyesight, examine newborns, and, in some cases,
perform outpatient surgeries.
While the needs and the working conditions are very basic, your "hands-on"
contribution can be life-changing. Our host communities often lack
modern
medical facilities, so volunteers should plan to bring their own
instruments
and medical supplies.
Health care professionals of various specialties, particularly those
with
public health backgrounds, are needed at small village clinics. The
working
conditions may not be what you are used to - the equipment is quite
basic
and the amount and variety of medicines are really limited. But
nevertheless, if you are an internist, family physician, gynecologist or
other specialist, you can perform patient examinations and make
referrals to
regional hospitals where necessary.
Nurses also can help vaccinate children in some locations. And, where we
work with deaf and disabled children and youth, you can provide direct, "hand-on" assistance with rehabilitative and recreational therapies.
