ARI008 - Hospital

Duration: 2 weeks +
Location: Located in the northwest of Argentina near "El Impenetrable" jungle,
Background Information: The town covers an area of 40 km sq. and its population, 20,000 inhabitants, is composed of 50% Creoles and 50% aboriginal Tobas.
Project Aims: Health and Sanitary assistance to the whole community.
Project Tasks: Direct assistance to patients, diagnostics, health & nutrition, dentistry, administration, hospital maintenance, and workshops on health education and family planning. The volunteer could also bring new ideas and innovation, perhaps giving some specialization course for professional staff, or information for the lab technicians; or English classes for the professionals at the hospital so that they can better understand new information in English both in books and internet. At the same time volunteers could give classes to inpatients or organize entertainment activities for patients in their spare time (this would not be a major activity for the volunteer as there are usually very few patients that have to be "in" hospital for long periods) These are the principal needs of the hospital at the moment (apart from material needs such as medicines and equipment).
Who Can Participate?: The hospital will welcome doctors, dentists, nurses, other health professionals, as well as those without qualifications to get involved in the other activities such as administrative tasks, repairing, painting, etc.
Placement Costs: Food and accommodation provided for free
Accommodation: Provided with a host family, at the hospital or at a home for young students, depending on availability.
Visa Requirements: It is the responsibility of all participants to obtain any necessary visas.
Required Items: Long-sleeved cotton shirts, long cotton trousers, a jumper (sweater), a hat, raincoat and sunglasses. 15+ sunscreen lotion, mosquito repellent
Language: A Basic/Medium level of Spanish is required.