This government-operated hospital serves the underprivileged community of Ho Chi Minh City. It aims to offer effective treatment to a large number of its local population with the help of international volunteers.
What's Included
What's not Included
Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Vietnam’s largest city, has completely transformed over the last two decades as a result of Doi Moi, the1986 widespread economic reform. It went from a war-ravaged city to a flourishing metropolis, putting it in a position to rival Bangkok and other Asian powerhouses. The city’s gushing success can be seen in its five-star restaurants, fancy hotels, topnotch bars and clubs and luxury shops. However, much remains to be done to improve and expand the social and health services for its residents.
This project offers the opportunity to volunteer alongside Vietnamese doctors while learning about the hospital’s medical practices and treatment methods. The project will start with an introduction to the hospital equipment, the operating procedures, and the staff with whom you will be working. Depending on your level of experience, you will then be assigned to either a nurse, staff member or a doctor whom you will shadow for the remainder of your placement (unless you are qualified to do more hands-on tasks). Your tasks may include:
- Routine check-ups
- Monitoring patients
- Consulting with the doctors and offering advice
- Observing, recording and analyzing patient conditions
- Assisting in the X-ray room
- Helping in the children’s or adult’s ward (depending on the need at the time)
- Shadowing and observing staff
A Typical Day: You will volunteer five to six hours a day, Monday to Friday. Depending on the needs of the hospital at the time and your level of medical experience, you will shadow doctors performing medical procedures, shadow other hospital staff members and/or participate in everyday tasks (check-ups, monitoring etc.). The medical staff will hold regular meetings to discuss the needs and performance of the hospital. You will have the chance to attend these meetings and participate in the discussion. Although weekends are free, you do have the option to volunteer at the hospital on Saturday and/or Sunday.
Please note: Your volunteer tasks will rely on your level of medical experience. If you do not have medical experience, then you are still welcome to apply to the program and will mainly be involved in shadowing hospital staff and performing non-medical tasks. The hospital will review all volunteers' CV/resume prior to your arrival in order to determine what activities you may be involved in during your stay.
Please take note of the project's minimum requirements:
- Minimum age: 18
- Able to work in hot and humid climate
- CV/Resume
- Previous medical experience, pre-medical student, medical student or qualified nurse/doctor
- Immunizations (please consult your local travel clinic)
- Police Clearance is required
Culture Week (Highly Recommended, Not Included):
For an additional fee you can extend your stay with a week designed to introduce you to Ho Chi Minh and Vietnamese culture as well as give you time to get to know the other volunteers. During the week you will visit some of Vietnam's iconic landmarks, market places and even go to a traditional water puppet show. You’ll take cooking and language lessons, learn about traditional jewelry techniques and get an understanding of Vietnam’s past, present and future.
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