Volunteer in a Rural Health Clinic

By volunteering in a Rural Health Clinic, you can help augment support to understaffed and underfunded health clinics in rural towns outside Tacloban City. This volunteer program is great for volunteers looking to experience public health services in the Philippines or looking to apply their professional medical skills in a rewarding environment. Rural Health Clinics serve as the main source of free basic healthcare for rural communities around Tacloban City. It is at these clinics where one doctor and a handful of nurses have the sole responsibility of looking after a community of thousands of people whilst at the same time having only a limited number of resources at their disposal. The clinics will benefit greatly from the services of volunteer medical professionals and qualified students. Volunteers who are being recruited include doctors, nurses, medical assistants, and medical and nursing students.

The Rural Health Clinic is a walk-in free clinic that serves the whole community. 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 8 am to 5 pm except on holidays. General consultation, pediatrics, pre-natal check-ups, and dental services are provided according to their scheduled days within the week. The emergency and birthing units are however open 24/7 to attend to the patients. Village visits are also done regularly.

By volunteering in this project, individuals embarking on a career in health care will be able to gain valuable experience in their chosen fields. Established professionals will have the opportunity to share their knowledge and skills whilst learning about health care conditions in a developing country. This placement is always an eye-opening experience that gives volunteers a new perspective not only of their profession, but also of their own lives.

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