Nicaragua Health & Medical - Silais Health Center

  Nicaragua

Rural Areas

Durations of Program: 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months and 7-12 months
Typical Duration of Program: 9-12 weeks
Dates: Year round, monthly departures

Description: Silais health clinics are government funded clinics which cater to the low income population. These clinics are found everywhere throughout the country; their core responsibility is to provide basic health control and standard first aid, while also providing assistance through pregnancy and post-delivery women, since 50% of pregnant women are under age. They also attend the newborns on follow up on their vaccines, and illness.

Responsibilities include coordinating daily vaccination programs for the entire population, and provide the medication for different illness such as: diarrhea, flu, lung infection, and minor cuts.

This clinic also participates in counseling on how to go through a healthy pregnancy, since in Carazo is the highest range of prenatal death in Nicaragua.

Highlights: Responsibilties in the clinic include:

- Assisting doctors with the hands-on work with patients. This includes working with medical staff in the areas of paediatrics, obstertics, immunizations, health and disability, dental, community and sexual health.

- Education programs on the importance of preventing disease

- Delivery of anti-parastic and Vitamin A medication as part of monthly school immunization programs

- Participation in staff seminars on topics including Malaria prevention, breast feeding etc.

- Nurse training for the staff.

Qualifications: We need people that are already in the medical career, could be an undergraduate or if he/she are doctors practising medicine that would be a tremendous help.

People willing and capable to understand suffering, try to do something to solve a little pain in a country that has suffered so much.

At the same time you need a heart of stone, in order to keep on working.

Cost in US$: $2530 USD for 8 weeks; $135 each additional week

Experience Required: yes

A background in a health-related program/career would be of benefit.

Typical Volunteer: We believe everyone can contribute by volunteering. Recent graduates from high school, college or university, professionals taking a career break, recent retirees, individuals or groups who are interested in a change and the chance to enrich their own life and the lives of others. If you are 18 years or older you can apply for any of the placements available. If you are from 16-18 years old you may apply for placements near our Volunteer Abroad Office and Residence, so that we are able to give you more support. Both students and professionals are needed for placements in all our countries.

Age Range: 18+

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Nicaragua Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently Or in Groups of Custom

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Resume
• Written Application

Volunteer Abroad's Mission Statement: We believe international volunteering promotes cross-cultural learning that helps create global awareness, understanding between cultures and provides the platform for positive change. Our volunteers have taught in schools, provided disaster relief support for the International Red Cross, conducted essential research to improve the management strategies of threatened environments, built homes for impoverished people, provided vocational training and programs for street kids and have worked in co-operation with hundreds of local organizations to distribute aid and improve the quality of life for people throughout Asia, Africa and Latin America.

Year Founded: 1998