Medical volunteer work in South Africa

Many people in South Africa cannot afford adequate medical care, even though there are state hospitals. In addition, the hospitals are often far too far away from their places of residence. As a result, many illnesses are not treated adequately. Furthermore, there is often a shortage of doctors, especially in state hospitals. Patients there are usually only cared for by nursing staff. By volunteering in a medical capacity, you can help to improve the situation by proactively supporting the staff.

Volunteer work in day hospitals

Basic medical care in South Africa is mainly provided in so-called day clinics or health centers. There, patients are treated on an outpatient basis and then either sent home or referred to a hospital. Almost every day clinic has a trauma ward, an emergency room, a maternity ward and several counseling rooms. Depending on your previous knowledge, you will sit in on and support the specialist staff on site with various tasks. This may include caring for newborns or providing HIV counseling.

Volunteering in physiotherapy

As a medical volunteer in Cape Town, you can also work in the physiotherapy department of a clinic or in a physiotherapy practice. There, you will mainly treat patients with injuries or physical impairments. For this volunteer work, you need to have completed physiotherapy training in order to take on tasks independently. You will work closely with patients during treatment and support them. The aim is to relieve pain and mobilize the patients.

The positions listed here are currently available projects of the organizing organization. Detailed information about the project, fields of activity and the process on site can be requested without obligation. Please contact us and let us know which areas you are particularly interested in.