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Volunteering in Kenya: Medical and Health
Kenya has been hit hard by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Approximately 1.5 million adults and children are infected. HIV/AIDS is only one of the problems facing the people of Kenya. Many adults and children are suffering from malnutrition, malaria, cholera, pneumonia, typhoid, tetanus and treatable diseases but still many are dying as a result of not receiving proper medical care. Government run hospitals and medical clinics are not equipped properly to handle the volume of people needing care. Medical and Health Objectives Include
- Work in HIV/AIDS program/s
- Hospital and Clinic Settings
Qualifications Necessary To work in HIV/AIDS program a medical degree is not necessary, but having a basic health background is required. Volunteering in a hospital or clinic, a medical degree is necessary and your credentials must be presented to HFLW before you go and when you arrive at your program.
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Volunteering with a community based HIV/AIDS program will allow the individual to assist with the objective of decreasing the spread of HIV/AIDS through raising awareness and education, increasing access to home care, and providing emotional support to those affected with HIV/AIDS. You will have the opportunity to travel to rural areas and assist with testing, education and counseling. No degree or certification is needed to participate but it will be necessary to have a background in basic health and first aid. This volunteer opportunity is an excellent choice for those of you who are nurses, certified nurse aids, students of nursing, first aid certified individuals, medical techs and so on. As a medically qualified volunteer, such as a doctor or RN, you can help by sharing your medical skills and working alongside local staff providing basic medical care. Volunteers will work with local staff to assist with daily duties, which may include patient consultations, recording patient history, assisting with diagnosing medical conditions, applying dressings, minor surgeries, and counseling. Volunteers can expect to be working with limited medical resources and technology. Because of this volunteers will need to rely on being self-directed and use initiative. Volunteers need to be flexible when volunteering with this program. The type of work volunteers will perform is subject to the needs of the particular project they are placed in and their own experience and skills. Note: Suggestions and ideas are always welcomed but please show respect for your colleagues, remember they to have been to medical school and served their time educating themselves as well.
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