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The Medical Care Project offers the opportunity to students preparing for a career in medicine, and those already qualified, to broaden their medical experience by observing and becoming involved in the daily routines of hospitals and clinics, whilst sharing their knowledge and experience with management, staff and patients. Most establishments receive no official funding, and are run with the bare minimum of staff, equipment and facilities, under conditions that are often unfamiliar and challenging.
Our partners have developed a strong working relationship with hospitals, clinics, and university medical schools, arranging placements in locations specializing in a wide range of medical fields, such as General Surgery, Anaesthesia, Gynaecology, Midwifery, Radiology , ENT, Paediatric Burns, and Mental Health.
The volunteer´s previous experience, skill, and relevant fields of interest are taken into account when arranging a placement, and bi-weekly meetings are held with senior staff and the volunteer to monitor progress.
The Project also offers the opportunity for volunteers without medical training or experience to assist in the various non-medical departments of the hospital or clinic. In many establishments, receptionists, domestics, porters, and catering staff are regarded as a luxury, with the doctors and nurses often carrying out those jobs in addition to, (and sometimes instead of), their normal duties. The presence of a non-medical volunteer gives them the opportunity to fully focus on the tasks for which they qualified. The treatment and care of patients.
Some hospitals arrange Recreational Programmes for their long-stay patients, such as music, drama, arts & crafts, and the volunteer´s contribution to these activities is invaluable.
Please note that an intermediate knowledge of the Spanish language is essential for this project, and we are obliged to obtain a reference or recommendation from a suitably recognised source for volunteers with medical training or experience. It is the sole responsibility of every volunteer to ensure that he/she has adequate insurance cover, taking into account the location, nature and duration of the placement.
Dental Care
Bolivia is a Third-World Country, the poorest in South America, and the standards of Dental Hygiene, together with the availability and quality of treatment, fall far short of those experienced in most other countries.
However, there is a growing awareness of the importance of Dentistry, and several Universities now offer Degree Courses to Students, and Refresher Seminars to qualified Dentists. Many have their own Surgeries and Laboratories, allowing practical experience to be combined with lectures and written materials.
Another area in which the awareness of Dental Hygiene is increasing, is in the Orphanages and Children´s Homes that our partner supports, where the treatment and education of Staff and Children, is the role of the Mobile Dentist. Whilst the service offered is very basic, its value cannot be overstated.
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Your Role in the Program.
