High quality healthcare is incredibly important in any community, and ours is no different. Naifaru is the central hub for medical care in the Lhaviyani Atoll, serving over 13,000 people as the only island with a hospital. Although our hospital has high standards and is well-equipped, we are faced with numerous challenges associated with being based on a remote island in a developing country.
On our medical placement program, volunteers are placed within Lhaviyani Atoll Hospital where they can get experience in a variety of departments, shadowing our local doctors and nurses. On a daily basis, volunteers will spend time interacting with our community members, gaining hands-on practical skills, and experiencing the unique challenges our medical teams face. This gives volunteers an opportunity to gain valuable experience in a completely different setting and, in return, the community gains the benefits of international expertise. Volunteers are given a life changing experience that will not only enhance your professional career, but change your appreciation for medicine.
- Work at our local hospital, the Lhaviyani Atoll Hospital, shadowing a doctor/nurse to gain international medical experience.
- As a volunteer you have the option of gaining training in a variety of specialisms including: dentistry, nursing, midwifery, paediatrics, anaesthesiology and GP training.
- Immerse yourself into the community and accompany a doctor on ‘home visits’.
- Gain valuable practical skills to enhance your medical career and broaden your perspective.
- It’s not all work and no play, weekly excursions including snorkelling, visiting uninhabited islands, BBQs etc. offer some much needed rest time.
- Due to our other volunteer programmes, medical volunteers have the unique option of also helping out in our Marine Centre with our rescued and injured turtles!
| Location | Naifaru Island, Maldives |
| Start Dates | Any day of the week |
| Duration | 4 – 12 weeks |
| Requirements | • You have or are working towards a degree in a related field (e.g nursing/medicine) • You have an open mind towards other cultures • You are driven towards helping people • You can be flexible and assist in various community-building programmes on our island • You are willing to help develop our community • You are minimum 18 years old |
| 4 WEEKS | 6 WEEKS | 8 WEEKS | 10 WEEKS | 12 WEEKS |
| $2504 | $3616 | $4678 | $5690 | $6762 |
Volunteer Role: What will I be doing?
Lhaviyani Atoll Hospital is based in Naifaru, the largest city in the atoll, with a population of over 6000. The hospital has a general ward, as well as a maternity ward servicing over 11 000 local people from all around the Lhaviyani Atoll. With modern facilities and qualified professionals on hand to teach you valuable skills, this is a must for all students seeking to gain international experience during their degree, or for qualified professionals looking to enhance their career and gain a different perspective. Volunteers will gain the chance to explore the local culture as they assist GP’s with house-visits and will learn about cultural attitudes to medicine. We work closely with the hospital to ensure volunteers are well-placed, so whether you seek; dentistry experience, nursing, midwifery, pediatrics, anesthetists, or GP training, we will ensure you get the most out of your experience! Our volunteers usually work in the hospital 5 days a week typically from 9am to 5pm, or whenever the hospital needs you! Volunteers on this programme must therefore be flexible and open to all working possibilities.
Why are volunteers needed on this project?
Being a small island community we need volunteers with international experience and training to come into our hospital and help improve patient care. In addition, you will work with locals to conduct events promoting public health awareness in the Maldives. Your international experience and outlook is vital for rethinking and improving public health across the Atoll. You have the chance to really change our community for the better!