Hospital Program

About the Program

Our healthcare hospital volunteer program in Tanzania is vital for addressing critical healthcare gaps and needs in low resource settings. We tackle challenges of limited access to medical care, inadequate resources, healthcare personnel and high burden of tropical diseases.

Through our program volunteers play a role in supplementing local healthcare efforts, providing much needed support and gaining invaluable experience while helping.

Medical care is a basic human right, and making it accessible for all is essential. Volunteers will primarily work in our collaborated hospital and clinic to fulfill the needs for more hands towards providing health services.

Working on our hospital program offers a wonderful opportunity for volunteers to become familiar with the challenges and health issues of developing countries and low resource facilities. All our hospitals and clinics are governmental approved. The working environment is different from the one you are used to work at home. You need to be open minded and able to deal with the poor health care options that are given.

This program is open to everyone with healthcare background who wants to help make a difference in the lives of underprivileged people in the medical field.

Available Departments

We collaborate with a public hospital that has a number of departments offering a diverse range of cases for learning and experience. They would appreciate your help. Through this program, you’ll witness firsthand how primary care can be provided under challenging conditions with limited equipment and resources, including the management of tropical diseases.

You will be working with a supervisor who will give you a full orientation to familiarize you with the assigned department and roles. You may help in the following departments:

General Medicine Department (Internal Medicine)

Nursing Department

General Surgery Department (ENT, Orthopedics)

Maternity and Midwifery Department (Labor & Delivery)

Outpatient Department (OPD)

ICU Department

Obstetrics and Gynecology

Pharmacy Department

Pediatric Department

Dermatology Clinic

Psychiatry and Psychotherapy with Methadone Placement

Your Role

Our hospital program offers invaluable opportunities to gain clinical experience in the developing world, focusing on tropical disease management and healthcare system provision, which are crucial aspects of a medical career in today’s globalized world. This is an excellent opportunity to gain valuable experience in your field in a different culture where practices may differ considerably from what you’re used to at home. You can work in a variety of different medical departments, where you can either assist or shadow the staff members. The type of role you will be allocated will depend to an extent on your own abilities and capabilities, which is understandable given that you will be dealing with patient health and safety.

You will be involved in the day-to-day running of hospitals, directly assisting the doctors and nurses. If you are planning to specialize in a particular field of medicine in your studies, we can arrange to place you in a relevant department to ensure that we benefit from your knowledge in your field of study and you also learn from our local professionals while helping. This program is open to anyone who wants to help improve the lives of Tanzanians.

Your roles may include some of the following:

Going on rounds with doctors to examine cases and determine the next line of action

Following up on cases and ensuring that proper medicine is dispensed

Helping to take patients’ vitals, conducting examinations, and making subsequent diagnoses, and assisting with general consultation activities with a local supervisor

Observing procedures

Helping with ward activities

Taking care of patients arriving for outpatient care or on admission

Changing bandages and monitoring recovery

Checking blood pressure, weighing babies, and helping with first aid treatment

Stitching in the emergency and accident department

What to Expect

Our organization runs healthcare outreach programs where we visit local communities and provide free health services to underserved communities. We provide health education, basic prevention, and screening for non-communicable and communicable diseases. This offers a wonderful opportunity for volunteers and students to become acquainted with the existing community health issues and the challenges of delivering healthcare in a developing country like Tanzania.

Volunteers need to bring their own scrubs and tools to use in the hospital, such as a stethoscope for doctors. You will definitely gain valuable insight into Tanzanian culture and will have the opportunity to improve your skills in a variety of areas in healthcare.

You will work in the hospital five days a week (Monday to Friday) from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm, although working hours are always flexible! You will have the rest of the day to yourself and can explore the city with the other volunteers. The volunteer house you will be staying in is very close to the beach, an art craft center, and the market, so there is always a lot to do.

Highlights

Volunteer in professional medical environments within hospitals and clinics.
Shadow experienced doctors and nurses to deepen your understanding.
Gain insight into tropical healthcare issues. Expand your clinical knowledge, skill set, confidence, and resourcefulness.
Learn essential medical skills such as measuring blood pressure, blood sugar, and recognizing clinical presentations of various diseases.
Assist in delivering basic healthcare services during THO community outreaches.
Develop your personal and professional network by connecting with other volunteers.

Rotations provide a unique learning experience not typically found in your home hospitals or clinics.
Participants will encounter medical conditions specific to tropical, rural, and low-income populations, gaining insight into how primary care can be delivered with limited resources.
You’ll have the opportunity to learn about tropical diseases, understand the impact of sociocultural factors on healthcare delivery, and gain real-life experience in global health.
Participants will be encouraged to rely on their clinical skills and cultural competence to evaluate patients, offering a hands-on approach to patient care.
Immerse yourself in the rich cultural tapestry of Tanzania while making a meaningful impact on the lives of those in need.

Nursing & Midwifery

This elective placement offers an ideal opportunity for nurses or aspiring nurses to shadow and assist qualified and experienced professionals across various departments within hospitals in Tanzania. Our educational placements are designed to cultivate the confidence needed to tackle any challenge upon returning home.

Enhance your theoretical knowledge and gain hands-on experience in delivering quality care and treatments within a unique healthcare environment. Upon completing your placement, you’ll emerge as a strong and competent nurse, earning recognition from your peers and bolstering your resume.

Roles may include:

Wound dressings under direct supervision of nursing staff

Assisting doctors in procedures such as blood collection

Recording vital signs, including blood pressure, pulse, and temperature measurements (if competent)

Supporting patients with mobility between service points

Providing general assistance to medical staff as needed and as expertise allows

Performing tasks such as weighing patients

Assisting with infant/adult weighing

Other roles may be assigned by your supervisor

What you can expect from the Nursing Elective Program:

Acquire specific nursing techniques and skills by working closely with professional nurses

Strengthen your CV and appeal to future employers

Enjoy spare time exploring the vibrant city life, embarking on safaris in Mikumi National Park, visiting Zanzibar Island, and immersing yourself in local music and culture

Arrival Details

You can join the program any time of the year. Upon your arrival at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam, a dedicated team member will warmly welcome you and ensure a smooth transition. Look for our representatives wearing our logo T-shirt or holding a sign with your name as you exit the airport.

We recommend booking your flight to Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam, as this is where our pickup service will be available.

From the airport, you’ll be transported to your accommodation (host family or volunteer house), where you can settle in and prepare for your time with us. During this period, our team will provide a comprehensive orientation, ensuring you are well-acquainted with the local area, cultural norms, safety measures, and your upcoming tasks. The next day, we will take you to the office to address any further concerns and familiarize you with the program details.

We understand that traveling to a new place can be exciting yet overwhelming, so our aim is to make your arrival and transition as comfortable as possible so that you can focus on the enriching experience ahead.

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need further assistance before your arrival. We can’t wait to have you join our team and make a positive impact in the Tanzanian community.

Accomodations Details

While in Tanzania, you will stay with THO Volunteer’s host family, where you will experience Tanzanian culture firsthand. Each family can accommodate up to 10 volunteers at a time. The houses have unlimited WiFi internet access, providing a good working environment. Our host family will prepare breakfast and dinner for you from Monday to Friday, and three meals on weekends or public holidays.

Special dietary requirements will also be considered; please inform us during the submission of your application. The meals include both Tanzanian local dishes and Western dishes.

Drinking water is provided free of charge. Bedsheets and mosquito nets are provided, but please bring your own towel.

Support Our Cause

Your generosity support will fuels our mission. Whether you choose to donate or become one of our dedicated supporters, your contribution makes a tangible impact on healthcare and education in Tanzanian communities. Every donation goes directly toward providing essential medical services and empowering local initiatives.

Join our community of supporters and help us create lasting change.

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