HealthCare Experience in Zanzibar
Highlights
- This project pushes volunteers to step out of their comfort zones, promoting both personal growth and self-discovery.
- The role of volunteers is to support a local hospital by assisting trained medical staff, promoting patient and public health.
- Medical volunteers studying pharmacy, nursing, psychology, surgery, medicine, and related fields can apply. `
- Participants get hands-on practical experience from conducting patient assessments to assisting in surgeries under supervision.
- Zanzibar is a stunning island destination known for its pristine beaches, rich history, and vibrant cultural.
Overview
Our HealthCare Experience project offers interns and volunteers the unique opportunity to work in one of two local hospitals in Zanzibar, Tanzania. Gain hands-on experience while immersing yourself in the island’s healthcare system, discovering the challenges and rewards of practicing medicine in a developing country with a rich and distinct culture.
Zanzibar offers a unique healthcare landscape where interns and volunteers can encounter and treat diseases like malaria, cholera, HIV/AIDS, and more—conditions less common in Western countries. This hands-on experience broadens medical knowledge, sharpens diagnostic skills, and enhances understanding of tropical illnesses. The HealthCare Experience project is designed to support local treatments and improve public health, allowing participants to work alongside seasoned professionals, conduct patient assessments, and even assist in surgeries, gaining invaluable skills for their medical careers.
- Meeting you at the airport in Zanzibar on arrival, airport transfers to and from the airport, shared accommodation at the volunteer house, registration and application of visa if needed, nursing permit for Zanzibar hospitals, pre-departure admin and support, orientation and induction, in-country staff with 24/7 support, three meals a day (Monday to Friday), drinking water at the volunteer house, WIFI at the volunteer house, transfer to and from the school you are placed and any additional running costs.
- Flights, visas costs, inbound travel insurance, spending money, weekend transport, recreational activities, vaccinations if needed, laundry and additional food when not at the volunteer house.
Important Information
Volunteers typically assist Monday to Friday for about six hours each morning. Depending on your assignment, you could work in various hospital departments, such as the women’s ward, ICU, pediatric ward, or radiology. Your specific duties may include direct patient care under supervision, conducting assessments, assisting with medical procedures, patient management, medical documentation, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to ensure quality care.
Typical Hospital Day:
- 06h00: Wake up, shower, and have breakfast.
- 07h00: Head to the hospital.
- 07h30: Begin the morning shift.
- 13h00: Finish your shift.
- 13h30: Return to volunteer accommodation for lunch.
- Afternoon: Relax, explore Stone Town, swim at the beach, or visit a local market.
- 19h00: Dinner, followed by downtime with other volunteers.
Note: Things might run at a slower pace than you’re used to—this is Africa!
The volunteer accommodation is a well-located house in Malindi, just outside Stone Town. It offers free Wi-Fi, and the local team’s office is within the same building. The house is conveniently situated, with all project sites within a 30-minute drive and the beach nearby.
The house can host up to 15 volunteers, with shared bedrooms (2-3 per room) and a kitchen, living area, and bathrooms. Amenities include bed linen, mosquito nets, and electric fans, while bathrooms feature Western-style toilets and showers. Volunteers need to bring their own towels, toiletries, and laundry detergent for the washing machine or handwashing.
A local “mama” helps with cooking and cleaning several days a week, but all volunteers are expected to help keep the space tidy.
Volunteers are provided with three local meals per day during weekdays (breakfast, lunch and dinner). Breakfast is self-serve at the accommodation and includes tea, coffee, fruits, bread (with Nutella and jam), eggs, etc. Lunch and dinner are prepared in the volunteer house. Drinking water is provided. Meals are traditional Zanzibari/Swahili cuisine (simple but healthy).