Medical & Health Care Volunteering

Code Camp’s Medical Volunteering Programme in India offers a fabulous opportunity to get first-hand exposure and insight into the Indian healthcare system which differs greatly from the National Health Service. You can learn from the local staff and get involved in supporting them. Alongside huge economic development within the country, healthcare has also advanced; however, the population as a whole still experiences poor health. This is perhaps due to a lack of awareness of health issues and the fact that many Indians cannot afford regular if any, medical treatment.

Code Camp can place volunteers in nearby hospitals and medical camps which provide highly subsidized treatments to local people in need. This programme is not just for those applying for Medicine or currently pursuing a Medicine or Nursing degree but also for those with healthcare related interests.

It is often not possible to organize extended periods of time at the hospitals which is why we offer our volunteers the fantastic opportunity to engage in volunteering activities at an orphanage alongside shadowing doctors.

This gives you a variety of experience and also ensures your active engagement with people, unlike many other medical placements which are often quite observational in nature.

Your level of involvement is dictated by your current medical experience, the duration of the programme and your willingness to get involved. It is up to the working medical staff.

Essential Information

Requirements

In order to join the programme, you will need to be at least 17 at the beginning of your volunteering time.
We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds but you must be able to provide us with a clean criminal background check prior to your programme start date. We are unable to accept anyone who has any previous criminal convictions.
We do require all participants to have a reasonable level of Health-Care awareness and great enthusiasm in order to join
You should also be physically fit, as volunteering overseas can be quite strenuous. If you have any medical/mental health conditions that may affect your participation overseas, then these must be declared to us during your application.

Duration

We believe a period of 4-6 weeks is the ideal time to get really involved in a project and make an impact. This also allow you to have enough time at the weekends to explore the local area and culture. However, we offer the programmes from a minimum of 2 weeks.

Vaccinations & Malaria Tablets

You may need to obtain vaccinations so it is vital you consult your local GP or travel clinic a few months before you intend to travel. Your local doctor/nurse will advise you as to what vaccinations and malaria prevention are needed for entry into your volunteer destination.
Additional information can be found on the NHS ‘Fit for Travel’ website.

What do we provide?

Accommodation (with a local host family)
Meals (breakfast, lunch & dinner)
Airport pick up (24 hours)
Private transport to/from projects
In-country orientation
24-hour in-country support
Brilliant weekend experiences at some of these fantastic places:
- Mountain climbing at Chotila Hill/Girnar
- Visiting Rani ki Vav (Queen’s Stepwell), World Heritage Site
- Visiting Ahmedabad, World Heritage City
- Visiting the holy Swaminarayan Temple
- A wildlife experience at Asiatic Lions
- Relaxing at Khirsara Palace
- Visiting the Ramakrishna Ashram

What do you have to prepare?

Funding for your travels and other costs
Flights to Ahmedabad /Rajkot – India (£450-£750)
Travel insurance (£18 per week)
Visa (£55-£120)
Criminal background check (£25)

FAQ

What are the requirements to join?
In order to join the programme, you need to be at least 17 on the programme start date.We welcome all volunteers regardless of their background; however, you must have a clean criminal background check before the programme starts. English does not need to be your first language, but you must have a sufficient level of English to be able to teach the students.

When is the best time of the year to volunteer?
Generally, any time of the year is a great time to volunteer; however, you can enjoy greater cultural involvement outside the UK Summer.

When should I apply for the programme?
You may apply at any time of year. We recommend applying as soon as possible as places are allocated as soon as they become available.

What is the recommended duration of the programme?
We believe that 3 to 4 weeks is the ideal time to get really involved in a project and make an impact on the community. This also provides the chance for you to explore the local area and take part in cultural activities. But of course, we welcome you for any time period you find suitable.

Is it safe to travel and stay at Code Camp destinations?
Though the projects are based in the developing world, we always ensure that the host location and the volunteering programme is completely safe. We allocate a member of staff from Code Camp to the volunteers to look after them, to provide support and to address any problems throughout the time they are there. Code Camp have personally visited the places where they operate and have verified on independent criteria that the locations fulfill required conditions.

What vaccinations or tablets do I need to take?
We recommend you consult your local GP or travel clinic a few months before the programme start date to obtain any necessary vaccinations.

Brilliant Weekend Experiences at some of these Fantastic Places

Mountain climbing at Chotila Hill/Girnar
Visiting Rani ki Vav (Queen’s Stepwell), World Heritage Site
Visiting Ahmedabad, World Heritage City
Visiting the holy Swaminarayan Temple
A wildlife experience at Asiatic Lions
Relaxing at Khirsara Palace
Visiting the Ramakrishna Ashram