Medical & Dentistry Volunteer/Electives
Daily Tasks
As part of this volunteering position, medical, dentistry students and/or professional doctors will support the understaffed hospital in Talara and the Medical post in Lobitos in the following specialities: Respiratory, Pediatrics, Infections, Gynecology, General Practice and Dermatology. With the guidance of the EcoSwell team, volunteers will also design and implement public health educational initiatives in Lobitos for the local population in relation to the identified challenges in order to raise awareness.
Medical Elective interns will be supported by the EcoSwell staff, and local health practitioners who will be there to supervise when required. Volunteers will need to spend at least one month with us, time in which they will spend half of their placement in Talara helping at the hospital and the second half, carrying out the public health educational initiatives in Lobitos and helping at the Lobitos medical post.
An online position focused on medical research is available for those wanting to take part in this program in that manner.
Benefits of joining this program
The precarious socioeconomic and environmental conditions of Lobitos and Talara (the closest city to Lobitos) mean that the local population is exposed to a range of health problems. These include but are not limited to: respiratory problems, infections, viruses, birth control and sanitation issues. In addition to this, the medical post in Lobitos is not functioning to capacity and the hospital in Talara is understaffed, which leads to demands for medical help and attention not being met. Additionally, there is a severe lack of public health awareness, therefore perpetuating health issues within families.
In order to mitigate these impacts, we have established a cooperative Medical & Dentistry volunteering program alongside the Lobitos medical post and the Talara hospital. The benefits of taking part in this program include:
Enhance your CV and gain professional hands-on experience in a rural medical post and a semi-rural hospital in a developing country, having a real positive impact on the community.
There is a bursary available to contribute towards the financial contribution required by the applicant and to cover medical equipment which will be bought for the community.
Work alongside experienced & passionate people from a range of disciplines & backgrounds.
Live and work in a surfing paradise in northern Peru, the land of endless summer.
Requirements
These positions are available to medical and dentistry students who are in their clinical years, and qualified doctors. We also ask for:
Candidates wishing to volunteer at both, the Medical Post of Lobitos and the Hospital in Talara, we require they have at least a good level of Spanish (B1 or higher), and for them to be in their clinical years of their medical degree. Candidates that have a basic level of Spanish will still be able to join us. These candidates will volunteer exclusively at the Lobitos Medical Post.
Minimum age 18.
Basic experience or strong motivation to work as part of a team away from home.
However, the most important thing is that you have an open mind, positive attitude and willingness to learn!
FOR EVERY VOLUNTEER INTERN THAT JOINS US, A local family will plant and care for a native TREE IN THE VOLUNTEER INTERNS NAME.
If you'd like to get in touch with our former volunteer interns to hear about their experiences with us, get in touch and we'd be happy to connect you.
“A truly extraordinary experience”
As well as being extremely exciting, this medical volunteering/elective placement was hugely enriching. It was fun, stimulating, challenging and rewarding. It demands a hands-on approach, but EcoSwell and the health team provide a supportive environment in which students can work, learn and thrive. Everyone is very friendly as the town is extremely grateful for any outside help. Medical volunteers/electives are well placed to offer essential medical assistance. I can’t speak highly enough of this experience. I’ve learnt so much and I’ve made so many friends. It is truly extraordinary.
