Rural Medical Volunteering in the Philippines

The Rural Medical Volunteer Program in the Philippines is dedicated to provide medical assistance for the locals, as well as gain perspective on the healthcare situation in the Philippines. Under this project VolSol volunteers get the opportunity to work in under-funded clinics based in the rural areas outside Tacloban City. These are basically rural clinics and face a shortage of manpower and skilled hands. Our volunteers would be required to assist the clinic staff and doctors with regular health care activities.

Volunteering at a Rural Health Clinic is an opportunity to help provide medical care to the locals, as well as gain perspective on the healthcare situation in the Philippines. Volunteers are able to assist with consultations, immunisation, prenatal checks, natural births, medical mission, if any, village visitations and community health programs.

Medical Volunteers can make a significant impact in the lives of the locals by working at the clinics and providing free medical services to them. On the brighter side, volunteers get to perform in a pressure pit, pushing their limits and also gaining practical hands-on knowledge while at it. This is a special medical volunteering opportunity in rural areas wherein volunteers get involved with other public health projects, such as Annual Medical Mission or Annual Medical Check-up for all children enrolled under various social development projects. By volunteering at this site, students embarking on a career in health care will be able to gain valuable experience. Established professionals will have the opportunity to share their knowledge and skills whilst learning about health care conditions in the Philippines.

Sample Placement Profile – Sta Fe Rural Health Clinic
The clinic is located in the town of Sta. Fe. It is located southwest of Tacloban City. The clinic is headed by the public health doctor who is a general practitioner. It also has one regular public health nurse and one visiting dentist. It has a few midwives. 

Sta. Fe Rural Health Clinic is a walk-in free clinic that serves the whole community of Sta. Fe. It is a government-run health facility that accepts patients of all ages, generally those who cannot afford to see specialist doctors. It is open during the weekdays, from Monday to Friday at 8AM to 5PM except on holidays. General consultation is conducted three times a day. Its birthing unit however is open 24-7 to cater to mothers due for delivery.
As a primary healthcare facility it conducts general consultation, minor surgery, immunisation, prenatal checks, normal delivery, and community health (village visits). The birthing clinic is in place to cater to mothers due to deliver normally. Once it is determined that the mother has to undergo a Caesarean section, she will be referred to the nearest public hospital.

Volunteers work alongside nurses, midwives, and the doctor. Working hours for the volunteer is at least 4 hours daily from Monday to Friday, 8AM to 12Noon except during holidays. During village visits, working hours are usually extended until the afternoon. 

Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities

Volunteers use their medical skills and expertise to handle day to day activities at the clinic. Some of the activities you will perform (not limited to this):

• Assisting the local doctor with daily consultations

• Helping with local government based initiatives such as vaccinations or deworming

• Visit local barangays during community clinic consultations

• Conducting workshops (depending on their experience)

• Conduct community clinic consultations by visiting local communities

• Volunteers may also have the opportunity to assist in pre-natal seminars and other community based health workshops

• Helping in birth procedures and deliveries

The nature of a volunteer’s involvement at the clinic depends on his/her qualification and skill set. Normally, a volunteer assists in taking patient information and vitals. A qualified volunteer can help with immunization. Pre-natal check is done manually and is something that the volunteer can also learn to perform. Village visits are great opportunity to observe the rural areas and assist in delivering the medical services. It is also a good opportunity to conduct brief health lectures or distribute brochures on important health issues.

A medical student volunteer spends more time assisting and shadowing the doctor although he/she also works with the other staff. A doctor volunteer works alongside the local doctor during consultation. He/she is particularly useful when the doctor is not around, which is too often. With the help of a local staff, usually a nurse to translate, the doctor volunteer is given the responsibility to consult patients. A doctor may also initiate transfer of knowledge through workshop or capacity-building.

Requirements & eligibility

Volunteers must be 18 years or older at the time of joining the project and must be flexible and open-minded towards working in a new and challenging environment. Medical volunteers must provide a clean criminal background check report, CV, Passport Copy as well as other documents and credentials pertaining to their qualifications prior to joining the program. Pre Med, Medical, Nursing students, , Midwifery students, CNA’s, midwives, nurses and doctors can join the program. All volunteers must adhere to professional attire while at the clinics. The project has a minimum participation requirement of 2 weeks.