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Uganda Medical Volunteer!
Are you seeking an affordable travel experience where you can make a real impact on health? Would you like to use your skills to help those in need while exploring a new country? Are you interested in supporting healthcare services in the pearl of Africa, Uganda?
Uganda faces critical health challenges, including high rates of HIV/AIDS and limited access to comprehensive healthcare. In rural and poorer areas, the local health center struggles to meet the demands of the community, providing essential services like outpatient care, blood tests, and family planning.
Global Crossroad’s Uganda medical volunteer program offers a chance to support this vital health center by working with local staff to deliver much-needed care. Volunteers will assist with administering vaccinations, conducting routine health checks, and supporting key programs such as Preventing Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV. This program allows you to apply your medical skills while making a meaningful impact and immersing yourself in the local culture.
Do you feel called to make a difference in global health? Contact Global Crossroad today to learn more about the program and find out how you can join this impactful medical volunteer experience in Uganda.
Volunteer Responsibilities & Impacts
In Medical volunteering in Uganda project, your duties may include shadowing local medical personnel and taking on various tasks independently at the clinic or hospital. Volunteers assist with outpatient department services, dispense medications and deliver injections/immunizations. Volunteers also support health education via community outreach programs and assist with family planning, antenatal services and deliveries.
- Outpatient Department Services (OPD)
- Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin or "mean cell hemoglobin" (MCH) – blood tests checking for anemia-based conditions
- Consultations
- Dispensing medications
- Injections/Immunizations
- Health Education
- Community Outreach
- Antenatal Services
- Deliveries
- Family Planning
NOTE : Above are sample activities and vary from day-to-day, depending up on the schedule of the project. The local project's staff members may request assistance in various activities deemed necessary or beneficial to the clinic or those in need.
Medical volunteers will shadow local doctors and learn mostly from observation. Due to inherent risk involved and medical regulations, volunteers cannot treat patients or become involved in surgery during the project.
Skills and Qualifications
To participate in medical volunteering in Uganda, you must have certification or proof of experience in a medical field, such as a medical student ID, EMT or paramedic certification, or nursing or physician's credentials. Due to the health risks involved, volunteers who are not properly trained in healthcare cannot support this project.
Your understanding of Ugandan culture and diversity can help improve the experience for both you and your patients. Consider enrolling in our one-week Language & Cultural Immersion program.
When you arrive in Uganda, our local staff picks you at the airport and transport to accommodation. The next morning, our local staff gives you an orientation about country, safety, project, rules and regulations of the project, etc.
After orientation, you will be taken to your respective project, introduced to local staffs and children. There is not such a fixed daily schedule as volunteering works vary every day. Here is sample daily schedule:
- First Day : On your first day of medical volunteering experience in Uganda, you will be escorted to your placement by a local coordinator and introduced to the placement staff you will be working with.
- Weekdays: A typical volunteer day is as follows:
- 6.00 to 7.30 AM : Breakfast at the volunteer accommodation.
- 7.45 AM: Volunteers leave home and travel to their placements. Work and hours are dependent on the project and placement that each volunteer is working at.
- 12.00 PM: Lunch
- 3.00 PM: Work at the placement usually ends. Volunteers are free to travel home, prepare for the next day or do some shopping and sightseeing.
- 6.45 PM: Dinner.
Dates and Fees
All volunteering opportunities in Uganda start every Monday, though we allow for flexibility due to travel constraints.
Fees:
Most affordable quality volunteer work in Uganda are available through Global Crossroad. We strive to keep our costs low. The humanitarian side of the business is our passion. Global Crossroad's volunteer abroad in Uganda application and registration fee cost US $299.
In addition to the application fee, you are required to pay a weekly program fee. You will pay your weekly fee directly to your host family and project. This way, the fees that you pay will benefit those who rightfully deserve them, and not for company profit.
| Duration | Medical Project |
|---|---|
| 1 week | $255 |
| 2 Weeks | $500 |
| 3 Weeks | $670 |
| 4 Weeks | $850 |
| 5 Weeks | $1,025 |
| 6 Weeks | $1,200 |
| 7 Weeks | $1,375 |
| 8 Weeks | $1,550 |
| 9 Weeks | $1,725 |
| 10 Weeks | $1,900 |
| 11 Weeks | $2,075 |
| 12 Weeks | $2,250 |
Mandatory comprehensive travel insurance $3.49 a day »
Airport Pick up $75
How your fee is allocated?
Program fees cover:
- Accommodation (host family)
- Food (local food 3 times a day)
- In-country support
- Personalized project
- Pre-departure information
- Certificate of completion
- Fundraising ideas and letters
- Discount for returning volunteers
Program fees exclude:
- Visas
- Airfare
- Personal expenses on soft drinks and foods
- Daily transportation
- Airport return transfer
The Uganda volunteer opportunity program fees will cover expenses that will begin on the first day of the program to the last day of the program. If you arrive before the first day of the program or you decide you stay beyond your program's last day, you will be responsible for the additional expenses, which would typically be around $30 a day for room and meals at a hostel.
Accommodation and Meal
In this medical volunteering program in Uganda, you'll be comfortably housed either with a friendly host family or in a well-appointed hostel. Your safety and comfort are our top priorities, so you can focus on making a difference. The living arrangements are situated close to your project site, with various local amenities within reach. You’ll also enjoy three delicious home-cooked meals every weekday, offering a wonderful taste of traditional Ugandan dishes.
Free Time and Weekend Exploration
Enjoy your free mornings and evenings exploring the local area, and take advantage of weekends to travel and uncover Uganda’s natural beauty. The central location of your project site makes it easy to access Uganda’s premier attractions, allowing you to dive into the country’s vibrant culture and breathtaking scenery.
Read more about the exciting destinations while volunteering in medical program in Uganda.
Safety and In Country Support
Global Crossroad has been ensuring safe and fulfilling volunteer experiences in Uganda since 2006, with over 20,000 people served. We are committed to your safety and comfort, providing assistance from your initial registration to the end of your project. A dedicated coordinator will be available at all times to help with any issues or queries that arise during your time in Uganda.
Why Volunteer in medical program in Uganda?
Address Critical Health Needs: Uganda faces pressing health challenges, including high rates of HIV/AIDS and limited access to medical care. Your volunteer work will directly contribute to improving healthcare services and addressing these urgent needs.
Gain Valuable Experience: Work alongside experienced local healthcare professionals and gain hands-on experience in a range of medical tasks, from administering vaccinations to conducting health checks and supporting community health initiatives.
Immerse in Local Culture : Experience the rich culture of Uganda while working in a vibrant community setting. This immersion will enhance your understanding of global health issues and broaden your personal and professional horizons.
Country Coordinator
Charles is an experienced leader with a strong passion for child rights and youth empowerment. He has been actively involved in various capacities, showcasing his expertise in handling international volunteers and managing placements. Charles is known for his meticulous, detail-oriented approach, ensuring a safe and rewarding experience for all volunteers.
FAQs
Arrival and departure
You’ll be met with a friendly welcome as soon as you arrive at the airport. Our local representative will be there to pick you up and take you to your place of stay. Simply provide us with your flight information, and inform us of any changes or delays so we can organize another pickup if needed. While we don’t offer airport drop-off at the end of your project, our coordinator will be happy to help you make arrangements for it.
Airport pick up and drop off
We will provide you with a warm welcome upon arrival. Our local representative will greet you at the airport and transport you to your accommodation. Please share your flight details with us in advance, and let us know of any delays or changes so we can arrange an alternative pickup. Note that while we do not offer airport drop-off after your project, our coordinator can assist you with arranging this service.
Visa
To participate in Uganda’s medical volunteer program, volunteers need to acquire a visa either at the airport or through a Ugandan embassy, unless they are from a visa-free nation. Check that your passport is valid for at least six months. Uganda has switched to electronic visas (e-Visas) as of July 1, 2016. If you obtain an e-Visa, be sure to bring a printed version, since the e-Visa has replaced the previous visa-on-arrival process. Apply for your e-Visa online before your trip to ensure a smooth entry. For detailed information on obtaining a Ugandan tourist visa, please visit the Uganda Immigration website.
Vaccination
Before travelling to Uganda, the CDC recommends vaccines for Hepatitis A and B, Typhoid, and Yellow Fever, which is needed for entry. Since there's no malaria vaccine, it’s important to take anti-malarial medication. If you’ll be around animals, get vaccinated for Rabies, and consider the Cholera vaccine if you'll be in areas with poor sanitation.
If you wish to volunteer in other African countries, we have teaching volunteer program in Kenya, orphanage program in South Africa, healthcare program in Tanzania and teaching English volunteer opportunity in Zimbabwe.