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Medical Volunteer Program in Uganda
Medical Volunteer Program in Uganda

Mukono Region, Uganda

Medical Volunteer Program in Uganda

Trip Highlights

  • Volunteer to work at local hospitals and clinics in Uganda
  • Provide medical support to locals and gain an understanding of the healthcare system of the country 
  • Opportunity to be placed at a hospital placement offering various specialities and departments
  • Volunteers also get an opportunity to participate in any health checkup or awareness camps if conducted
  • Take part in weekend safari trips and explore the beautiful country of Uganda

Overview

Overview

The Medical Volunteer Program in Uganda is highly suited for medical interns, students, and professionals. Interns are placed in a healthcare center that has over 140 beds and offers opportunities in the Radiology, Dental, Pediatric, Surgery, Maternity, OPD, and other departments. As the health centers are often understaffed thus the hospitals can really use an extra hand. Work will last for anywhere between 4-6 hours a day and can be extended in case there is an emergency. Weekly health workshops and camps are also organized from time to time where interns also join the local teams in spreading awareness in villages, work together in organized camps and Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) programs. The medical healthcare opportunity in Uganda is ideal to get an insight into the working of health clinics and hospitals, help the patients and get hands-on work experience.

Volunteers for this project will have to be 18 years and above and will have to be enrolled in medical studies. A recommendation letter (preferably), resume and letter of motivation is necessary to apply for this project.

Program Requirements

Program Requirements

Volunteers must be 18 years or older at the time of joining the project. Participants should have an open mind and flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment. The volunteer should bring energy and enthusiasm to make a difference. 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 and CNA’s can join the program.


Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities

Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities

Volunteer tasks under the medical and healthcare program in Uganda may vary and depend on the level of experience, qualifications,medical training etc. If you have experience in the medical or health profession you might do tasks and activities which include the following:

  • Wound dressing under direct supervision of nursing staff.
  • Blood pressure, pulse and temperature measurements (if competent).
  • Assist patients with activities such as getting them from one service point to another.
  • Weighing patients, holding babies/adults to be weighed.
  • General assistance to the medical staff wherever required, and wherever experience and expertise allow.
  • Pre Medical students assist the local doctors and staff in doing basic tasks such as checking weight and temperature of the patients, cleaning wounds and also doing administrative tasks in the placement.

Volunteer Work Schedule

Volunteer Work Schedule

The schedule for the volunteers remains as follows;

  • Sunday - Arrival at Entebbe, Uganda
  • Monday - An orientation session will be conducted by the local coordinator, covering topic areas; such as safety, culture, language, places to visit, behavior, food, and other suggestion over things to do in Uganda.
  • Tuesday to Fri - Volunteer work
  • Breakfast - 07:30 am onwards
  • Leave for the project - 09:00 am
  • Working hours at the placement - 10:00 am to 04:00 pm
  • Lunch - 01:00 pm onwards
  • Dinner - 07:00 pm  onwards
  • Weekends - Free to explore the city

The same volunteer work schedule continues from the second week onwards 

Note: Please note, the schedule may vary depending on the particular project the volunteer is participating on.


Living

Living

As you arrive at the Entebbe International Airport near Kampala, we take care of everything starting right from the airport pick up to the accommodation, meals and local assistance. You will also get a comprehensive pre-departure information booklet and other assistance to prepare you for living in the city. Living options for various projects in Uganda range from host family accommodation, volunteer house, and guest house. All necessary facilities are provided in the accommodation for a comfortable stay of volunteers.

Airport Transfer

Upon your arrival at Entebbe International Airport , our coordinator will pick you up and transfer you to your accommodation. In case you are coming by road or are already in Kampala, you need to inform us beforehand and the pickup will be arranged accordingly.

Accommodation

Volunteers in the program are provided accommodation at a backpacker home/volunteer house run by our local partner team in Uganda.

Located in a humble neighborhood of just few meters away from Kalagi town, the accommodation is nestled away from all the noise of the big city, but close enough to ‘quickly’ get you back to downtown. It is just about 20-25 minutes’ drive from Mukono town on an all-weather tarmac road. 

The building also hosts offices of the local coordinators and they will be available in case of any problems.

All volunteers based in Mukono (up to 10 at one time) will live together in a warmly gated home. Delicious meals are provided each day, which consists of local foods, such as matooke (mashed plantain), posho (cornmeal), potatoes and rice or noodles. They are generally served with beef, fish, peas, beans or groundnut sauce. Bread, eggs, vegetables and fruits are available for breakfast, vegetarians are also accommodated.

Volunteers staying at the home are assigned a bed based on capacity, arrival time and length of stay. All beds have good mosquito nets and you don’t need to bring your own sheets etc. Accommodation at this home is in shared dorm styled bedrooms and shared twin bedrooms, accommodating up to 10 people when full.

For volunteers, it is a place to relax after the intense experiences of the day, and to discuss these with other volunteers. From the home coordinators can help in arranging trips and expeditions around the country including wildlife safaris, mountaineering, white water rafting and so many other activities.

Orientation

Our program coordinator will give you an orientation about the placement, local transport, facilities around the accommodation and necessities like ATMs, banks, restaurants, shops, pharmacy, local customs, and practices, Do’s and Don’ts, safety and so on. Please feel free to ask any questions to the coordinator if you need any more information.

Meals

3 meals a day, i.e. breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided from Monday to Friday. Breakfast and dinner will be given at the accommodation whereas lunch will be provided at the program location.

Breakfast includes tea/coffee, bread, jam, fruit and one dish (eggs, porridge, French toast, cereal etc.). Lunch is mostly prepared by local families or community members and typically includes meat (beef or chicken or fish), potatoes and rice.
Our program coordinator may take you occasionally to a local restaurant for lunch. Dinner includes vegetable, meat once or twice a week, rice, maize etc.

On weekends, only breakfast and dinner will be given. For lunch, you can go to the good local restaurants. The program coordinator will recommend the restaurants and other activities to do during the weekend. Weekend trips can also be taken up after consulting the coordinator and your fellow volunteers.

Always be wary of local street food as at most of the times it is contaminated or half cooked or made by unhealthy components. Do not drink tap water directly. Brushing your teeth with tap water is fine. You can purchase packaged water bottles from a supermarket for drinking.

Daily Transportation

Most of the program locations are within a walking distance from the program location and in cases where travel is required, volunteers are picked up and dropped back on either a boda-boda (motorcycle) or a jeep/car. Participants can budget $2-3 for local transportation.


Dates

Dates

2024

2025

January

07

14

21

28

February

04

11

18

25

March

03

10

17

24

31

April

07

14

21

28

May

05

12

19

26

June

02

09

16

23

30

July

07

14

21

28

August

04

11

18

25

September

01

08

15

22

29

October

06

13

20

27

November

03

10

17

24

December

01

08

15

January

05

12

19

26

February

02

09

16

23

March

02

09

16

23

30

April

06

13

20

27

May

04

11

18

25

June

01

08

15

22

29

July

06

13

20

27

August

03

10

17

24

31

September

07

14

21

28

October

05

12

19

26

November

02

09

16

23

30

December

07

14

Past Date

Available

Unavailable

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Costs

Costs

2 Weeks $420
3 Weeks $560
4 Weeks $700
5 Weeks $840
6 Weeks $980
7 Weeks $1120
8 Weeks $1260
Extra Week $200

Please Note: -An application fee of $229 is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment. (A 5% international banking fee is charged at the time of payment)

What are you Paying for?

  • Comprehensive pre-departure information
  • Airport pickup from Entebbe International Airport in Uganda
  • Round the clock assistance of our in-country coordinator and local staff
  • Program orientation by our in-country program coordinator
  • Meals
  • Accommodation in a Volunteer hostel or guesthouse
    • Certificate Of Completion (Upon Request)

What's NOT included?

  • International/Domestic airfare
  • Visa fees
  • Insurance (can be purchased from us at a nominal cost)
  • Cost of vaccinations
  • Local transport and personal expenses
  • Airport transfer while departing
  • Local tours and weekend tours (can be booked through our Travel Desk)

Reviews

Reviews

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Frequently asked questions

FAQ's Application and Program Details

Flights and Visa

Health and Safety

Accommodation and Living

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