Rural Medical Volunteering in the Philippines

Overview

The Rural Medical Volunteer Program in the Philippines is dedicated to provide medical assistance for the locals, as well as gain perspective on the healthcare situation in the Philippines. Under this project VolSol volunteers get the opportunity to work in under-funded clinics based in the rural areas outside Tacloban City. These are basically rural clinics and face a shortage of manpower and skilled hands. Our volunteers would be required to assist the clinic staff and doctors with regular health care activities.

Volunteering at a Rural Health Clinic is an opportunity to help provide medical care to the locals, as well as gain perspective on the healthcare situation in the Philippines. Volunteers are able to assist with consultations, immunisation, prenatal checks, natural births, medical mission, if any, village visitations and community health programs.

Medical Volunteers can make a significant impact in the lives of the locals by working at the clinics and providing free medical services to them. On the brighter side, volunteers get to perform in a pressure pit, pushing their limits and also gaining practical hands-on knowledge while at it. This is a special medical volunteering opportunity in rural areas wherein volunteers get involved with other public health projects, such as Annual Medical Mission or Annual Medical Check-up for all children enrolled under various social development projects. By volunteering at this site, students embarking on a career in health care will be able to gain valuable experience. Established professionals will have the opportunity to share their knowledge and skills whilst learning about health care conditions in the Philippines.

Sample Placement Profile - Sta Fe Rural Health Clinic
The clinic is located in the town of Sta. Fe. It is located southwest of Tacloban City. The clinic is headed by the public health doctor who is a general practitioner. It also has one regular public health nurse and one visiting dentist. It has a few midwives.

Sta. Fe Rural Health Clinic is a walk-in free clinic that serves the whole community of Sta. Fe. It is a government-run health facility that accepts patients of all ages, generally those who cannot afford to see specialist doctors. It is open during the weekdays, from Monday to Friday at 8AM to 5PM except on holidays. General consultation is conducted three times a day. Its birthing unit however is open 24-7 to cater to mothers due for delivery.
As a primary healthcare facility it conducts general consultation, minor surgery, immunisation, prenatal checks, normal delivery, and community health (village visits). The birthing clinic is in place to cater to mothers due to deliver normally. Once it is determined that the mother has to undergo a Caesarean section, she will be referred to the nearest public hospital.

Volunteers work alongside nurses, midwives, and the doctor. Working hours for the volunteer is at least 4 hours daily from Monday to Friday, 8AM to 12Noon except during holidays. During village visits, working hours are usually extended until the afternoon.

Volunteer Work Schedule

A typical volunteer schedule under this program is as follows;

Saturday/Sunday - Arrival
Monday - Orientation. An orientation session will be conducted by the local coordinator, covering topic areas; such as safety, culture, language, places to visit, behavior, food, and other suggestions over things to do in the Philippines
Monday to Friday - Volunteer Work
Breakfast - 6:00 am
Volunteer work - 08:00 am to 12:00 noon generally
Lunch - Post working hours at the project (volunteers need to arrange lunch at own cost. They can choose to go home and cook for lunch or can buy a meal at any of the nearest food joints.)
Dinner - 06:00 pm onwards
Weekends - Free to explore the city

The same volunteer work schedule continues from the second week onwards

Note: Please note, the schedule may vary depending on the particular project the volunteer is participating on.

Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities

Volunteers use their medical skills and expertise to handle day to day activities at the clinic. Some of the activities you will perform (not limited to this):

Assisting the local doctor with daily consultations
Helping with local government based initiatives such as vaccinations or deworming
Visit local barangays during community clinic consultations
Conducting workshops (depending on their experience)
Conduct community clinic consultations by visiting local communities
Volunteers may also have the opportunity to assist in pre-natal seminars and other community based health workshops
Helping in birth procedures and deliveries

The nature of a volunteer’s involvement at the clinic depends on his/her qualification and skill set. Normally, a volunteer assists in taking patient information and vitals. A qualified volunteer can help with immunization. Pre-natal check is done manually and is something that the volunteer can also learn to perform. Village visits are great opportunity to observe the rural areas and assist in delivering the medical services. It is also a good opportunity to conduct brief health lectures or distribute brochures on important health issues.

A medical student volunteer spends more time assisting and shadowing the doctor although he/she also works with the other staff. A doctor volunteer works alongside the local doctor during consultation. He/she is particularly useful when the doctor is not around, which is too often. With the help of a local staff, usually a nurse to translate, the doctor volunteer is given the responsibility to consult patients. A doctor may also initiate transfer of knowledge through workshop or capacity-building.

Project Requirement

Volunteers must be 18 years or older at the time of joining the project and must be flexible and open-minded towards working in a new and challenging environment. Medical volunteers must provide a clean criminal background check report, CV, Passport Copy as well as other documents and credentials pertaining to their qualifications prior to joining the program. Pre Med, Medical, Nursing students, , Midwifery students, CNA’s, midwives, nurses and doctors can join the program. All volunteers must adhere to professional attire while at the clinics. The project has a minimum participation requirement of 2 weeks.

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Medical Volunteering in Philippines - Philippines

Living

Airport Transfer
Volunteers are picked up from and dropped off at Tacloban Airport by a local representative staff member. Volunteers can arrive on Saturday or Sunday before starting their orientation on Monday.

Orientation
Orientation takes place on the Monday and includes comprehensive coverage of a number of relevant topics. It is given by a qualified staff member of the local team. Orientation includes the following activities:

Introduction to the program, its history, structure, and organisation
Introduction to the Philippines and the Filipino Culture
What to expect from the Volunteer Program
Health and Safety Briefing
Behavior Policy Briefing
Introduction to the actual placement, with special attention to transportation
Introduction to the placement staff and volunteers

Accommodation
Volunteers will live with homestay families residing in the Tacloban area. The homestays have been thoroughly evaluated before they were accepted into our homestay program. are experienced in accommodating international volunteers. Prior to your arrival, you will receive a profile outlining the specifics of your homestay family.

Your homestay will welcome you into their home and treat you as a member of the family. By living with them, you will be able to experience Filipino culture and participate in their daily activities. You will eat the same food they are eating, though your homestay family knows what foreigners like to eat. If you have special dietary requirements, it is best to inform us beforehand so we can meet your needs. You will be served only two meals per day, breakfast and dinner. Your homestay will also provide you with filtered drinking water, as it is best not to drink tap water. All the homestays have electricity and running water. You will have a private room by yourself or shared with a fellow volunteer. You also are provided a mosquito net and electric fan. The bathroom or toilet, commonly called “comfort room or CR” will be shared with all the family members.

Bathroom accommodation is basic and the volunteer will take cold, bucket baths because hot running showers are uncommon in Filipino homes – don't worry too much about this as cold bucket baths are often refreshing after being in the tropical heat all day. Finally, volunteers will also have to get used to the sound of roosters crowing even before the break of dawn.

Meals
During your time as a volunteer, you will be provided with two meals a day (breakfast and dinner) by your homestay. Aside from this, access to safe drinking water will also be provided by your homestay. All meals will be served with rice and typically include fish, chicken or pork. Homestays can cater for special dietary restrictions, however, we require that you include this in the application form.

During your Free Time
The local coordinating team in the Philippines arranges for the volunteers to go on two excursions. On one of the trips, volunteers visit the local areas of interest such as San Juanico Bridge, the Santo Nino Shrine and the MacArthur Landing Memorial Park. Volunteers will get an opportunity to experience the natural beauty of the tropical island of Leyte.

Tacloban, Philippines- Tacloban, Philippines

Dates

November

December

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Available

Filling Fast

Booked Out

Costs

Duration	Program Fee	Choose your currency
2 Weeks	$890
3 Weeks	$1040
4 Weeks	$1190
5 Weeks	$1340
6 Weeks	$1490
7 Weeks	$1640
8 Weeks	$1790
Extra Week	$200

Please Note: An application fee of is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment.

What are you Paying For?

Airport Pickup and Drop Off
Welcome Orientation – Program Orientation
City Tour & Placement Orientation
Accommodation in a Filipino Host Family
2 Meals a Day
Detailed Pre Departure Info Pack
Project Placement
24 hrs Assistance and support from in country staff
Travel and Medical Insurance (Available at an extra cost)
Certificate of Participation(On Request)

What's NOT Included?

Visa
Vaccinations
Flights
Local Transportation
Personal Expenses

FAQ's

Health and Safety

Do I need to buy health insurance?: Yes, for all participants it is mandatory to have a travel medical insurance. Volunteers have the option to purchase Travel and Medical Insurance at a nominal extra cost from Volunteering Solutions. To provide the best option to our participants, we offer comprehensive insurance coverage in collaboration with a leading insurance provider.
How safe is the Philippines and Tacloban City in general?: Tacloban City is a tourist friendly city and Philippines is a largely safe country. The Volunteers are, however, advised to travel in groups, not venture alone at nights and take the basic safety precautions. All volunteers must consult the coordinators before planning a night out and take the necessary safety tips, too. Leyte Island is generally safe for travelers. As with any other country, tourists and visitors must always take precautions when traveling abroad.
What immunizations/vaccinations will I need?: We recommend you to consult your physician or travel doctor before traveling to the Philippines. However, we recommend you take general vaccinations like

1. Hepatitis A and B

2. Typhoid

3. Malaria tablets

Yellow Fever vaccination is required for travelers who are arriving from, or have transited through, countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Application and Program Details

How long will it take to process my application? Will my application be accepted?: Usually, it takes around 10-12 working days for the application to be processed and placement to be confirmed. After the application is accepted, your placement document shall be updated in your account online and you can view the information in your account. The application acceptance depends on the availability of seats in the project as well as the eligibility criteria of the program (age, skills and experience etc.).
For how many hours will I volunteer every day?: Volunteers usually work for 5 to 6 hours a day depending on their program. You will have the weekend off so you can go to travel on weekends. However, volunteers need to be flexible, open minded and understand that work requirements can change as well on certain occasions.
When should I apply for the volunteer programs in Philippines?: For programs in the Philippines, it is advised to apply as soon as possible after you have decided on your choice of program and the desired dates. Every program has limited number of spots available and due to this reason, volunteers are requested to book their spot as soon as the dates are decided. We abide by the first come first serve policy.
Are there any necessary requirements to participate in the Philippines -Tacloban City volunteer programs?: Below are the necessary requirements to participate in the Philippines volunteer projects:

Volunteers must be 18 years or older at the time of joining the project.

Volunteers need to have an open mind and flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment. The volunteers should bring energy and enthusiasm to make a difference.

Participants must be in good health.

Participants need to provide a copy of their Resume/CV as well as Criminal Background Check Report for those participants working in projects with children.
What are the program locations in Philippines?: The projects are based in Tacloban City on the island of Leyte in Eastern Visayas. Tacloban is approximately 360 miles southwest of Manila and is well-known as the site of U.S. General Douglas MacArthur’s Leyte Gulf Landing, which marked the start of a fierce campaign to regain the Philippines from Japan during World War II.
Can I volunteer as part of a group?: Yes, you are welcome to take part in Tacloban Volunteer Program as part of a group. We welcome families, friends, high school students, college/university and corporate groups to volunteer together in the Philippines program. We can provide customized group volunteering opportunities depending on the group’s requirements and suitability.
Can I know more about Tacloban?: Tacloban also is the site of the prestigious San Juanico Bridge, which is the longest bridge in the Philippines. This bridge connects the islands of Leyte and Samar and is a key link in the Pan-Philippines Highway, which connects the Philippines islands of Luzon, Samar, Leyte and Mindanao through a network of roadway, bridges, and ferries.

Tacloban is the capital of Leyte Province and has a population of about 240,000. It is not a popular tourist destination and does not attract many foreign visitors. For this reason, Tacloban offers our international volunteers an opportunity to be immersed in a unique Asian culture.
When do I need to arrive in Tacloban for my program? What will happen once I arrive in the city?: All volunteers need to arrive in Tacloban on the starting date of the program. Volunteers are picked up by the local coordinator or representative from Tacloban airport and are taken to the host family accommodation. Once you come out of the airplane, you will be directed to enter the airport terminal through the back of the building, as the airport is not fully repaired from the damages sustained during the typhoon in November 2013; though it is getting better. At the exit area, the local staff representative will be waiting for your arrival with a sign board. After receiving, you will be taken to the community where most homestays and the main local office are located. The ride is about 10 to 15 minutes long.

Flights and Visa

Do I need a Visa to travel to Philippines?: Citizens of most countries can enter the Philippines and get a Visa on arrival at the airport for a period of 30 days. Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of entry into the Philippines. Visas can also be extended while you are in the Philippines. Volunteers participating in the long-term programs can apply for Visa beforehand at the nearest Philippines embassy.
What are the recommended airlines to fly to Tacloban, Philippines?: You will need to arrive in Manila and from there take a connecting flight to Tacloban City. Manila is well connected with direct flights from major international locations. The Daniel Z Romualdez Airport (Airport Code: TAC) in Tacloban is the main gateway from Manila and Cebu to the Visayas Region. AirAsia Zest, Pal Express, Philippine Airlines, and Cebu Airlines have flights from Manila to Tacloban.

Accommodation and Living

How do I get to the program location?: Your project coordinator will take you to your placement and introduce you to everyone after giving you a basic orientation about the program/city/culture etc.

Before starting your project, you will be given an extensive orientation that will include how to get to, and back from, your project; how to get to, and back from the downtown - the location of ATMs, restaurants, souvenir stores, and where money changers are, as well as a brief introduction to Filipino culture and etiquette.

The 'Jeepney', a colorful bus made from former U.S. Service vehicles is the most common form of transportation in the Philippines and covers short to medium sized journeys. This is the most common mode of transport for the volunteers in Tacloban.

For longer journeys, there are conventional buses, whilst motorcycles, tricycles, and private hire taxis, called 'Spider Cabs', can also be used for midrange journeys. If you're looking to just go down the road, you can ride a pedicab, a converted bicycle with attached sidecart.
Can I know more about accommodation and food arrangements?: Volunteering Solutions arranges accommodation for volunteers with a local Filipino host family in the local community. Staying with a local family is exciting and a part of the cultural experience and immersion as you get to know about their way of life, customs and traditions.

These are screened, well respective members of the local community who have been accommodating volunteers for many years. You will be given either a private or shared bedroom in which you will have a secure luggage storage (bring your own padlock), mosquito neck and electric fan. You will also have access to safe drinking water.

We ask volunteers to be considerate regarding their electricity consumption.

Volunteers will be provided with two meals a day (breakfast and dinner), these meals will vary but will usually be traditional Filipino meals, be prepared to eat a lot of rice!
Will I have access to the internet?: The local partner office currently has internet access and wifi capabilities, but volunteers should be mindful of their internet use since the staff members are also sharing the internet connections for general business operations. Volunteers can also visit a handful of coffee shops in downtown Tacloban (our volunteer coordinator will show you how to get to and from downtown during your city tour), which is a 15-25 minute ride from your homestay, that have wifi connection, as well as small internet cafes where you can pay per hour for computer/internet use.
Would I have free time during my program ? Can I do sightseeing during my program ?: Volunteers do get weekends free for doing sightseeing and socializing with other volunteers in the program. Tacloban City has amenities for almost every kind of traveler, from the Robinsons Shopping Mall to beautiful sun-swept beaches on the outskirts of the City. What you get up to during your time off is completely up to you, however, our staff can provide you with help in planning your trip.

Volunteers also enjoy relaxing at the many beach resorts, most predominantly the Tadjaw beach resort near the municipality of Tolosa. For those of you that are looking further afield for more exciting opportunities, you can plan a weekend getaway to Cebu, or to visit the Chocolate Hills on Bohol or the Sohoton Caves on Samar.
Will I have access to clean drinking water?: All homestay families will provide clean drinking water for their volunteers. Mineral water is also widely available in small shops throughout the neighborhood as well as at larger grocery stores. When being served water at restaurants it is always important to ask if the water is mineral water and if the ice is made from tap water.
Are there more expenses once I arrive in Tacloban City?: Your program fee does not cover your personal expenses. You will need to cover yourself for your personal expenses, such as local transport, telephone, the internet, shopping, sightseeing etc. However, you should carry around $50-$70 per week for your basic personal expenses. This amount can vary and you would need a higher amount if you go on different weekend trips out of town.
What all are included in the fee I pay?: You Program Fee includes your Pre-Departure booklet, airport pick-up once you arrive in the Philippines, orientation about the project and a city tour on the first day. It also includes your accommodation on same gender sharing basis as well as meals as mentioned in the program schedule.

We can arrange for airport drop at an extra cost.

Connect with Past Volunteers

How can I connect with past Volunteering Solutions alumni as well as other former and current volunteers ?: We encourage volunteers to get in touch with former Volunteering Solutions participants and also other program participants joining our projects. You are recommended to join thehttps://www.facebook.com/VolunteeringSolutions/">; Volunteering Solutions Facebook Page or Facebook">https://www.facebook.com/groups/VolunteeringSolutions/">Facebook Group to communicate with other participants.

To read alumni interviews from past participants, visit the Meet">https://www.volunteeringsolutions.com/meet-a-volunteer">Meet a Volunteer section on our website.