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Medical Volunteer Program in Tanzania - Zanzibar
Medical Volunteer Program in Tanzania - Zanzibar

Zanzibar, Tanzania

Medical Volunteer Program in Tanzania - Zanzibar

Trip Highlights

  • Volunteer for a Medical & Healthcare Project in Tanzania – Zanzibar and get a glimpse of local healthcare systems 
  • Work alongside professional doctors/nurses in local hospitals/clinics
  • Opportunity to work in Gynecology Department, Operation Theater for surgeries, General Medicine, Physiotherapy department, First Aid department, Laboratory and research, and X-ray facilities. 
  • Be actively involved in the daily procedures of the hospital, taking rounds of the wards, maintaining files, and doing routine patient checkups like measure Blood pressure, pulse, checking fever, suturing wounds, giving vaccinations etc. 
  • Weekends are free for traveling and exploring the city

Overview

Overview

Medical Volunteer Program in Tanzania - Zanzibar will give you the opportunity to assist in hospitals in a variety of medical disciplines for, both, students and qualified nurses as well as doctors.

The departments include the maternity ward, eye clinic, dental department, Women, children and men wards for general health issues, Gynecology Department, Operation Theater for surgeries, Physiotherapy department, First Aid department, Laboratory and research and X-ray facilities. 

Your role as a volunteer in the medical program will be primarily to assist the local staff on duty. This can differ depending on what level of expertise you have, and for students, it will be more about shadowing the professionals. Volunteers in the past have assisted in delivering babies, taken blood pressure, changed dressings, assisted with minor surgery and other activities.

This is an opportunity for volunteers to gain international work experience and come out of their comfort zone. It will be challenging, so volunteers with a healthy dose of independence and flexibility will enjoy learning how the healthcare system works in Zanzibar.


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, CNA’s,  midwifery and dental students can join the program. Further details on additional documents shall be provided at the time of joining the program. Qualified medical professionals joining the program need to pay an additional one-off fee of $250 to be certified by Zanzibar Medical Council.


Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities

Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities

Medical students are able to shadow the professionals, learn from them and assist whenever needed.
Qualified medical professionals are able to practice medicine if they are certified by the Zanzibar Medical Council.  Once the necessary forms, documents and payment is submitted it takes a few weeks to process. This certification is valid for up to one year and costs a once off fee of 250 USD.

  • Depending on your skills, you'll be assigned work like suturing wounds, giving vaccinations, etc.
  • Assist patients with activities such as getting them from one service point to another.
  • You need to be actively involved in the daily procedures of the hospital, taking rounds of the wards, maintaining files, and doing routine patient checkups like measure Blood pressure, pulse, check fever etc.

Volunteers, depending on their background and field of expertise, can assist in: 

  • The maternity ward
  • The eye clinic
  • Dental department
  • Women, children and men wards for general health issues
  • Gynaecology Department
  • Theatre for surgeries
  • Physiotherapy (3 physiotherapists work here)
  • First Aid department
  • Laboratory and research
  • X-ray facilities

Volunteer Work Schedule

Volunteer Work Schedule

As a volunteer for the Medical Volunteering Program in Zanzibar, Tanzania, your general schedule would be:

  • Sunday - Arrival at the destination (Zanzibar)
  • Monday - An orientation session will be conducted by the local coordinator, covering the major topics such as safety, culture, language, places to visit, behavior, food, and other suggestions for things to do in Zanzibar.
  • Tuesday to Friday - Volunteer work at the placement.
  • Weekends - Free to explore the city.
  • Breakfast - 07:00 am onwards.
  • Working hours at the placement - 08:30 am to 01:00 pm. 
  • Lunch - 01:00 pm to 02:45 pm (volunteer work post lunch depends on the requirement)
  • Dinner - 07:00 pm onwards.

The same work schedule continues from the second week onwards (Monday - Friday).

Note: Please note, the schedule may vary depending on the particular project the volunteer is participating on. Zanzibar is predominantly Muslim and can have a significant impact on any participant who happens to volunteer during the time of Ramadan. The participant schedule shall vary during this time of the year.


Living

Living

Find a beautiful abode away from home in Zanzibar. Volunteering Solutions ensures that our volunteers get the “at home” atmosphere while volunteering.

Airport Transfer

As Zanzibar is semi-autonomous and part of Tanzania you can fly straight to Zanzibar (over Nairobi, Kilimanjaro or other international airports) or fly to Dar es Salaam. If you fly to Dar es Salaam you need to take a cab to the ferry to Zanzibar, where you can buy a ticket for the relaxing 40-minute boat ride to the island.  It is very important that we know about your travel arrangements so the coordinators can be ready for you to arrive. Upon arrival at either the airport or ferry terminus, you will be welcomed by the coordinator who will show you around and take you to your accommodation. 

Daily Transport

Most volunteers use the daladalas, which have specific routes from your accommodation to Stone Town and onto other destinations. It can be time-consuming but also a great start of the day to experience transport the local way; life stock and big mamas all squeezed into a small minibus. In the first two days, the coordinator will take you to your project and pick you up, but after that, you will need to do it by yourself. 
The daladala is very cheap and runs often so fit in and do things like a local!

Orientation

All volunteers are given an orientation about their project and the location by the local coordinator. 

Accommodation

Accommodation is offered with host families in the safe area of Mbwemi just outside Stone Town and close to the airport. You can expect to share a room with other volunteers. We typically use 3-4 host families in the area for our volunteers to stay.

Two of the host families are located next to each other with a local bar within walking distance.

When we receive larger groups of volunteers they are accommodated in our volunteer house. The volunteer house is a fairly large Zanzibar home with a living room/dining room, as well as the kitchen. It accommodates up to 8 volunteers in 2 different rooms and 2 bathrooms. The house has a garden with a secure wall and gate to make sure you are as safe as possible.

Bedding is provided in the form of sheets, but bring a towel for personal use. Mosquito nets are not provided so you can bring one if you choose to. If you don’t have enough space in your suitcase; it is cheap to buy things locally.

The accommodation can be basic, standards are very different in Zanzibar then back home most probably, and showers do not have hot water, but the weather is hot enough to shower cold!

Within easy reach, you will find the main road with food stalls to buy fresh juices, Mandazi (local doughnuts) and any other basic needs. Zanzibar has the most amazing fruit selection and you will find yourself spoiled with the availability and affordability of fruit on the island. Within 20 minutes walk you can find 2 popular bars with fast internet and supermarket with some imported (and expensive) goodies to treat yourself every now and then.

Meals

Meals are provided 3 times a day by your host. Meals are based on local ingredients and will include meat, chicken, seafood and vegetarian dishes, as well as the favorite ‘chipsi’ (fries) and pancakes. Breakfast will generally consist of tea and coffee, toast, jam and peanut butter with some fruit while lunches and dinners are cooked meals which you can eat after work and at your own preferred time.

During your Free Time

Volunteers will have a lot of free time during the weekend. During weekdays too, your evenings would be free. Some of the activities that you can get involved in during your free time in Zanzibar.

  • Visit the old forts, museums and beautiful streets of Stone Town
  • Eat all the seafood you can at Forodhani Gardens in the evening
  • Go on a spice tour to see how cloves, nutmeg and much more are grown
  • Go swimming in crystal clear water
  • Snorkel or dive to some of the most beautiful reefs of the world.
  • Relax and live the island lifestyle!

All free time activities are at the participant’s own expense.

 


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

22

29

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

21

28

Past Date

Available

Unavailable

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Costs

Costs

2 Weeks $794
3 Weeks $1065
4 Weeks $1344
5 Weeks $1640
6 Weeks $1936
7 Weeks $2232
8 Weeks $2528
Extra Week $315

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?

  • 24 hrs Assistance and support from Staff
  • Personal collection upon arrival at Zanzibar airport or ferry terminal
  • First day introduction at the project and surroundings
  • Accommodation in host family (shared rooms)
  • Meals (3 meals a day)
  • Guidance and supervision during your stay
  • Certificate Of Completion (Upon Request)

What's NOT included?

  • Flights
  • Travel & Medical Insurance (Available at an extra cost)
  • Personal Expenses
  • Transport on the island with local taxis, bicycle or private transport
  • Zanzibar Medical Council Certification fee for qualified professionals
  • Visa and Work Permit Fee

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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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