Medical clinic, mobile health project. Caribbean

Product Details

Clinica Cahuita is situated in the friendly and laid back Caribbean coastal town of Cahuita. The community are very proud of it as the other surrounding towns do not have one and must make the long trip to the nearest hospital if they need to see a doctor. It has a waiting area, nurses’ station, reception, consultation room and dispensary. It is clean and well organised. The doctor in charge is in his early thirties, speaks excellent English and is very supportive of what volunteers have to offer. Although you do not need to be qualified you must have a genuine interest in medicine and ideally be going on to study it at university.

Cahuita is a wonderful place with an Afro-Caribbean culture. It attracts a steady trickle of tourists who come for the excellent coral reef snorkelling, swimming and walking in the protected jungle of the national park. The larger tourist town of Puerto Viejo situated 12 miles away has a concoction of golden beaches, surfing, a myriad of little restaurants and something of a party spirit.

Volunteers are needed to assist Dr Maynor Arroya. The clinic runs an appointment system and treats all minor injuries. You might be asked to assist with assessments, give injections, provide first aid, remove stitches, sterilise equipment and help with record keeping. Once a week you would travel to remote areas with Dr Maynor to treat patients unable to come to Cahuita. Dr Maynor would train you properly and after a month if your Spanish was good and you prove yourself to be competent you would have the opportunity to work in the Home Creek hospital situated eight miles away. The hospital is ‘relatively’ sophisticated and has a maternity ward, A&E, physiotherapy department, social services and the facilities to treat most conditions.

Accommodation is with a family. There is room for two volunteers, sharing the facilities with the rest of the household. The family are very supportive (and very extended) and have enjoyed having volunteers for the past 15 years. Your social life would revolve around them and there is also an expatriate community. All meals are prepared for you but there are restaurants and cafes, as well as shops to buy provisions and toiletries. Working hours are normally 8:00 am until 5:00 pm with a break at midday for lunch. Weekends are free for travelling and exploring by bus. The livelier, tourist town of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is just 20 minutes away with many shops, bars, restaurants and excellent surfing and swimming - great to spend a weekend away. Outreach International provide all volunteers with a Latin American Spanish CD course prior to departure and volunteers also receive a one-week intensive Spanish course in country.

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