Location:

Kathmandu, Nepal; Pokhara, Nepal

Program Type:

Intern Abroad

Degree Level:

Undergraduate

Term:

Year Round

Work Types:

Business, Medical

Program Overview

Program Description:

Adequate medical care is a serious problem in rural and urban areas of Nepal. The rapid movement of people to Kathmandu due to the civil war and to seek better financial opportunities has left much of the city’s public health infrastructure desperately oversubscribed. For many of the poor living in Kathmandu seeing a doctor for themselves and their children is simply not an affordable option. In rural areas health facilities are also in short supply due to poor transportation links and funding.

VSN has three different types of health placements for volunteers in Nepal: 1. Pre-medic placements These placements are available for those who have a desire to work in the medical profession, but are not yet qualified or studying medicine. As a volunteer on this placement you will be given the opportunity to observe doctors in clinics and run your own health awareness programs in schools, women’s groups, orphanages and other community organisations. These awareness groups may provide local communities with sanitation knowledge and first aid training. 2. Medical student placements health check 2If you are in the process of becoming a medical professional then this is the placement that will best suit you. Volunteers on this program will have the opportunity to carry out basic health checks in health clinics, observe Nepali doctors in hospitals and practice in your elected field. For most of this placement you will shadow Nepali doctors, who will have good spoken English. On this placement you may also get the chance to run/take part in VSN’s own health camp, which moves between needy communities offering basic health care. If you come in a group of 4 or more medical students then you may have the opportunity to run the health camp yourselves. 3. Medical professionals’ placements If you are a qualified medical professional then you have the opportunity to work in government hospitals, health clinics and the health camp. Depending on the length of your stay you may prefer to work with Nepali doctors or establish your own clinic/health camp practice. Please note that working as a medical professional/ student in Nepal may be very different to your experiences in your home country. Medicine names and practices may differ here and volunteers have to adapt to these changes. Although VSN provides the service of an interpreter where necessary, communication can sometimes limit the actions of our volunteers. This said, often volunteers feel that these factors enhance their experience in Nepal, forcing them to learn quickly on the job.

Do I need any specific qualifications or skills for this volunteering placement? For pre-medic placements you must have a keen interest or be planning to study medicine in some capacity. For medical student placements you must be currently studying/have studied medicine. For our professional placements you must be practicing in the medical profession. On applying for these placements please let us know your level of experience and field of expertise and we will do our best to find you a suitable placement.

Cost:

1 weeks - $300 2 Weeks - $450 3 Weeks - $550 4 Weeks - $650 Cost includes Food and accommodation from the moment of landing at the airport to the final day of your placement In depth cultural and language training Guided sightseeing in Kathmandu Arranged transfers to and from your placement Fully trained host families 24hr availability of VSN Nepal staff for emergencies Assistance with visas and pre-departure support Fundraising support Airport collection and d