Become a medical volunteer at a hospital on Zanzibar

Ready for a life-changing medical adventure? Join our hospital team in Zanzibar where your skills can make a real difference - while crystal-clear waters await during your time off! ✨

Accommodation: Dorm room
Location: Tanzania
Category: Healthcare and medical
Language: English, English, English
Season: Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
Minimum duration: Min. 1 month

About the project

This medical volunteer program addresses critical healthcare challenges in Zanzibar's under-resourced hospital system. The clinic serves a disadvantaged community where infectious diseases like HIV, malaria, tuberculosis, and typhoid fever are prevalent daily challenges. With limited medical resources, local staff work tirelessly to provide essential care, making volunteer support absolutely vital. The program focuses on sustainable healthcare improvement, where volunteers don't just observe but actively contribute to patient care under professional supervision. The obstetric department particularly benefits from additional hands during deliveries and postnatal care, while general wards need support with everything from wound care to patient education. What makes this placement special is its emphasis on teaching volunteers to think creatively about healthcare solutions when standard resources aren't available – skills invaluable for any future medical career. The hospital operates year-round, though July and August are fully booked due to high demand from medical students worldwide.

What you bring

Medical, nursing, or midwifery education at university level
Minimum age of 18 years (exceptions possible with guardian permission)
Intermediate English language skills
Clean criminal background check
CV with photo and qualification/education enrollment documents
Experience with tropical diseases (advantageous but not required)
Flexibility and creativity in problem-solving
Willingness to work in resource-limited settings
Adaptability to different cultural contexts
Availability for 3-12 weeks commitment

What you do

Assist in diagnosis and treatment of tropical diseases like HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis
Support the obstetric department with labor and delivery care
Provide wound care and administer medications
Help with trauma assessments and potential surgeries
Participate in patient education on disease prevention
Collaborate with permanent staff on treatment plans
Contribute ideas for improving healthcare practices and hygiene
Work flexibly across different departments based on need

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What you get

Accommodation in our lively hostel
2 meals per day (breakfast and dinner)
Airport pick-up service
Orientation and city tour
Support during the program in-country
Your placement
Program certificate
Access to various day trips and activities

What you don't get

Flight tickets to Zanzibar (assistance provided to find affordable options)
Travel insurance (quotes available through partners)
Required vaccinations for Tanzania/Zanzibar
Lunch during weekdays (available nearby or can return to hostel)
Personal towel (recommended to bring your own)
Optional weekend tours and activities (additional cost)
Personal expenses and souvenirs

Program fees

Min 4 weeks

€279

Per week

Program availability: April 01, 2025 - November 30, 2026

Flight and airport

Fly into Zanzibar International Airport (ZNZ) with included pickup service. The organization assists in finding affordable flights to this tropical paradise. Arrive by weekend for smooth Monday start!

Visa

Most visitors need a Tanzania tourist visa (obtainable on arrival or online). Ensure 6+ months passport validity. Consult your embassy for current requirements and vaccination recommendations.

Free time

Zanzibar transforms into your tropical playground after hospital shifts! Your beachside location in Paje puts pristine white sands literally at your doorstep, perfect for unwinding after intense medical work. Weekend adventures are endless – explore historic Stone Town with its winding alleys and slave museum, take the Prison Island day trip to see giant tortoises, or join Safari Blu for dolphin watching and snorkeling at Mnemba Island. The underwater world here is spectacular – diving enthusiasts can explore coral reefs teeming with tropical fish, while those preferring surface activities can try kite surfing (Paje is famous for it!), stand-up paddleboarding, or kayaking through mangrove forests. For culture lovers, visit spice farms to learn about Zanzibar's 'Spice Island' heritage, trek through Jozani Forest to spot rare Red Colobus monkeys, or take a traditional dhow cruise at sunset. Your hostel becomes adventure central – the pool area and bar create perfect spaces for planning trips with fellow volunteers from around the world. And when you need pure relaxation? Those white sand beaches are calling! 🏖️

Activities

Swimming

Diving/Snorkeling

Water sports

Sightseeing

Safari/Zoo

Shopping/Souvenirs

Climbing

Sports

A typical day

Your medical adventure starts at 8:00 AM at the hospital, where you'll be assigned to specific departments based on daily needs and your experience level. Patients are often already queuing outside by this time, reflecting the community's urgent healthcare needs. Working alongside dedicated local medical staff, you'll dive straight into patient care – whether that's assisting with wound dressing, helping diagnose tropical diseases, or supporting the obstetric team during deliveries. Around 10-11 AM, everyone takes a well-deserved tea break to recharge before continuing with morning duties. The beauty of this program is its flexibility – after your morning shift ends at 2 PM, you can choose to return for afternoon work or head back to your beachside hostel just minutes away. Lunch is available nearby or you can return to the hostel to eat with fellow volunteers. Evening and night shifts are available for those seeking maximum exposure to emergency medicine. The variety keeps every day exciting – one morning you might be in the maternity ward helping with a delivery, the next you could be learning about malaria treatment in the general ward!

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April 11, 2025