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Hospital Shadowing & Assistance

location
1 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+
Verified

Highlights

  • This volunteer project is best suited to pre-medical and medical students, aiming to gain valuable experience in a real life hospital setting.
  • Shadow local doctors, nurses and medical professionals in a goverment hospital.
  • Observe pracices you may not get to see at home and help with treatments (if experienced)

Highlights

  • This volunteer project is best suited to pre-medical and medical students, aiming to gain valuable experience in a real life hospital setting.
  • Shadow local doctors, nurses and medical professionals in a goverment hospital.
  • Observe pracices you may not get to see at home and help with treatments (if experienced)
  • Learn more about overseas healthcare systems

  • You don't have to pay anything yet

    Especially good for

    Age 18+
    Singles
    Couples
    Groups
    50+

    About the program

    By joining the medical volunteering project in Kandy, Sri Lanka, you will get the chance to observe the patients at one of the oldest and the largest hospitals in Kandy.

    You will be observing patients alongside a doctor or nurse at one of the oldest and largest hospitals in Kandy, Sri Lanka.

    During the collapse of the Kandyan Kingdom in 1815, western medicine started to become recognised here and the opening of hospitals throughout Sri Lanka began. Indian workers ...

    About the program

    You will be observing patients alongside a doctor or nurse at one of the oldest and largest hospitals in Kandy, Sri Lanka.

    During the collapse of the Kandyan Kingdom in 1815, western medicine started to become recognised here and the opening of hospitals throughout Sri Lanka began. Indian workers came to Sri Lanka from 1821 for its coffee and tea prospects. Public hospitals were in great need during this time, due to poor nutrition, and diseases such as cholera and malaria. Later, with a new medical board, they selected vaccination officers to assist in vaccinating the public against Smallpox. The old Smallpox Hospital in Deyyannewela was later extended, becoming the General Hospital Kandy (teaching hospital).

    With the help of the University of Peradeniya, Teaching Hospital Kandy hosts undergraduate training programmes for university students who are studying medicine. The Post Graduate Institute of Medicine (PGIM) assigns post-graduate trainees, registrars and senior registrars to train people in medicine and for them to gain hands on experience. The hospital has over 2200 beds and acts as a training facility for inspiring medical students (being overlooked by professional staff).

    Volunteering on this project, your main role is to observe or the patients, treatments, techniques, and assist professional doctors and nurses working at the hospital. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn more about overseas healthcare and to share your knowledge with the staff.

    Location
    Kandy, is an amazing destination high up in the hills approx 3 hours drive from Colombo with incredible views, dense forests and a buzzy atmosphere with locals and tourists. Kandy is the last royal capital of Sri Lanka and is famous for it’s culture and temples such as Temple of the Tooth and plenty of others. The city has bustling markets with all kinds of interesting and diverse goods and services from unique handicrafts, exotic foods, arts, music and dance. Kandy has a really cool vibe and is somewhere you can happily explore for an extended period of time.

    Project Tasks
    Witness and learn from various methods of treating patients
    Acquire knowledge and practices from an overseas healthcare system
    Get involved in treatments if experienced 

    Typical day

    Monday to Friday
    During Monday to Friday you will volunteer at the hospital from 08.00 to 13.33. Working hours can be changed according to the medical department’s requirement.

    • Please bring your own scrubs (Light Blue) and stethoscope. In addition, you can also bring your own face mask and medical ...

    Typical day

    Monday to Friday
    During Monday to Friday you will volunteer at the hospital from 08.00 to 13.33. Working hours can be changed according to the medical department’s requirement.

    • Please bring your own scrubs (Light Blue) and stethoscope. In addition, you can also bring your own face mask and medical gloves.
    • Bring a complete set of medical uniforms and medical shoes, preferably a medical uniform or a Doctor's coat.
    • Refillable water bottles and hydration packs to stay hydrated throughout the day particularly during your medical internship.
    *Schedule possible to change due to the project and community needs at the time. Volunteer flexibility and adaptability is important to a positive volunteering experience. 



    Free-time activities

    Here are a few things you can do in Sri Lanka!

    Royal Botanical Gardens
    The Botanic Gardens are situated around 5. km to the West of Kandy. Once being only for the Kandyan royalty, they are now open to the public to wander around at their leisure. There’s 60 hectares of beautiful garden to explore, ...

    Free-time activities

    Here are a few things you can do in Sri Lanka!

    Royal Botanical Gardens
    The Botanic Gardens are situated around 5. km to the West of Kandy. Once being only for the Kandyan royalty, they are now open to the public to wander around at their leisure. There’s 60 hectares of beautiful garden to explore, where you will see a huge Javan fig tree, pretty orchids and even monkeys!

    Knuckles mountain range
    This stunning mountain range is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and hosts many walking trails. You will find small villages, beautiful waterfalls, numerous native wildlife and rice fields. This is the perfect place for people who love the outdoors and adventurous hiking trails.

    Sigiriya (Lion Rock)
    Another UNESCO World Heritage site, this ancient rock is situated around 91km North from Kandy and is very popular with tourists, who can climb up to the top for some seriously stunning views. Along the way you will see antient rock carvings and paintings on the walls of this sacred rock. It will take roughly just over an hour to climb up.

    Yala National Park
    Located on the South coast of Sri Lanka, this stunning park hosts one of the highest leopard densities in the world. Not only that, you can also spot elephants, monkeys, birds, buffalo and more. There are numerous tours in Yala, from day tours to over several days of safari.

    Adam’s Peak
    Around 91km South of Kandy you can climb to the top of this sacred sight, just as the locals do for pilgrimage. It’s a bit of a trek up in the dark but totally worth it to see the sun coming up over the clouds, mountains and lush forest. You will be greeted by stunning views to reward your efforts!

    Hortons Plains National Park
    You can trek through this beautiful national park to ‘World’s End’, a 9.5km round loop trail, taking around 3 hours. This is a pretty easy walk, but you will be greeted with amazing views out over the countryside and above the clouds! It’s best to visit here early (before 10am) as the clouds can roll in after that and block the incredible views.

    Udawatta Kele Reserve
    Situated near the Kandy lake, this nature reserve is complete with monkeys and birds- fantastic for wildlife and nature lovers. Here you will find wooded forests, over 400 species of plants and 70 bird species. You can trek through the forest for a relaxing break away from the city.

    Tea Plantations
    Kandy and Nuwara Eliya are both popular places to visit a tea plantation, for a refreshing taste of some of Sri Lanka’s best fresh tea! Not only do they produce great tea, the landscape is stunningly green, with endless hills rolling off into the distance.

    Requirements

    Requirements

    Minimum Age: 18 years

    In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

    Language Skills

    You need to speak English (basic level)

    Education Requirements

    Medical at University level

    Criminal Background Check

    required

    Required Documents

    Proof of medical training/ study, CV and Cover letter for hospital

    Nationality Restrictions

    No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

    Other Skills

    Medical professional or student.

    Time Commitment

    Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

    What's Included

    What's Included

    On-site Services

    Accommodation
    3 meals p/day weekdays / 2 meals p/day weekends
    Arrival airport transfer (Sat/Sun arrivals)
    Filtered drinking water, coffee & tea
    1 day orientation
    Daily transportation to project
    In country 24/7 support & emergency assistance
    Fundraising support
    University course credits (where applicable)
    Certificate of Completion

    Airport Pickup at Bandaranaike International Airport

    Programs begin every Monday, and volunteers are required to arrive the day prior, for orientation before the project. Your accommodation on the Sunday is included in the program fees.

    A free airport pickup is included when arriving to Bandaranayake International Airport (CMB). You must arrive between the hours 05:00 to 21:00 on Sunday.

    If you arrive outside the pickup times, you can book a private transfer for an extra fee.

    If you want to book any extra nights before or after your program, you can do this for an extra fee.

    Alternatively, if arriving early you could wait at the arrival’s terminal for the pickup time, book accommodation at the airport and meet us during the pickup times or make your own way to the project (we will advise on how to do this).

    From the airport to the Kandy accommodation, it takes around 3-4 hours by road and to the Ambalangoda accommodation, around 3 hours.  

    Accommodation

    You will be accommodated in one of our centres which are located 2-4 km away from Kandy centre, and about a 15 min walk to the nearest supermarket and ATM. You’ll share rooms with 4-10 other volunteers of the same gender with a shared toilet per room. A fridge, safety deposit boxes, lockable rooms, hot showers, bed linen and fan are included with volunteers expected to bring their own towel. Laundry facilities are available at a small fee. The centres do not have Wi-Fi but you can buy a local sim card. Most volunteers will purchase a local data plan and connect this to their personal devices.
    *Accommodation may be in our local centre or in close proximity, depending on availability and time of year.


    Private Room Upgrade: please contact us directly for options and pricing

    *Please note: Upgrade prices can change, so please check the price with us first

    Food & Beverages

    3 meals per day are provided during weekdays and 2 meals per day on weekends. Safe filtered drinking water is provided along with tea and coffee. You can expect meals with rice, coconut, spices, roti, lots of vegetables & sparing amounts of meat. 

    You don't have to pay anything yet

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Internet Access

    Sorry, no access at the project site

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) in Colombo. We assist you to find cheap flights to Sri Lanka. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

    Travel Insurance

    Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Sri Lanka provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

    Vaccines

    If you are intending to volunteer in Sri Lanka you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Sri Lanka. VACCINE CHECKER

    Details on arrival

    Program starts every Monday. Arrivals on Sat/ Sun. If arriving on Sat, an extra night is charged.

    Availability
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

    Program Fees

    $782 per week 1 - 12 weeks Age 18 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES


    Duration

    1 - 12 weeks

    Deposit

    Reserve your spot with just a few clicks and a small, secure deposit. You can pay by credit card, PayPal, or other convenient methods.


    Final Payment

    You’ll agree on the final payment method with your local organization during the application process. This final payment is only due closer to the start of your trip.

    You don't have to pay anything yet
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    Meet your project coordinator

    Lauren
    254
    reviews
    4.72
    Brilliant
    1989
    Founded

    Verified

      Very high response rate
    Spoken languages: English
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    Travel dates

    1. - 1. Jan 1

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