Description

Medical Brigade volunteers have the opportunity to shadow licensed doctors in medical consultations and assist in a pharmacy under the direction of licensed pharmacists through a 8-day "Medical Brigade" in Panama. Brigades require a 25 person minimum, so if you are currently a college student we would link you with the Medical Brigade on your campus to join their next trip, or if your college doesn't have a Medical Brigade chapter yet, you could lead one and recruit other volunteers to go on a brigade!

Each of our partner community receives a brigade every 3 to 4 months where hundreds of patients are treated and volunteers deliver public health workshops. Between brigades our in-country team maintains relationships with the communities to provide follow-up and to conduct Community Health Worker (CHW) trainings to empower local leaders to sustain a consistent level of healthcare. Electronic patient records are collected for future visitations and to monitor overall community health trends.

A 8-day Medical Brigade provides volunteers with the opportunity to make a tangible impact on communities while gaining real life experience in the field of international medicine. Prior to travel, volunteers collect medicines, recruit health professionals and fundraise. Once in Central America, the team will visit one partner community to administer day-long clinics and conduct health workshops. The mobile clinic has five stations: intake (recording patient demographic information), triage (collecting main complaints and vitals), consultations (shadowing doctors as they diagnose and prescribe), pharmacy (filling prescriptions), and education (delivering workshops on preventive healthcare). Evenings prior to each brigade, groups learn from local doctors about the health needs of the specific communities, organize medicine, and delegate duties for the next day.

Highlights

Student volunteers are able to take their classroom knowledge of sustainable development, international health, and medicine to provide healthcare to rural community members who do not have regular access to doctors or clinics.Since Brigades are conducted throughout the year, students are able to participate during school break.

Global Brigades conducts sustainable development in a holistic approach through nine student-led programs: Architecture, Business, Dental, Environmental, Law, Medical, Microfinance, Public Health, and Water. Volunteers will be able to see the tangible difference that our programs make through our multi-discipline model. Students from various different majors and colleges come together, select their program of interest, and work to improve the health & development of rural communities in Honduras, Panama, and Ghana. Global Brigades has full-time staff in each of the countries we work in to provide follow-up to our projects, ensure that our programs are continuously improving, and research the impact of our programs.

Benefits of Volunteering with Global Brigades:
* Travel Assistance - Global Brigades hosts an in-house travel team to source the best ticket prices for your brigade, along with provide 24/7 travel assistance
* Online Fundraising - Global Brigades partners with an online platform, Empowered.org, which allows you to create a personal profile, fundraise for your brigade online and recruit your college friends to join your brigade
* Pre-Brigade Coordinator - Each brigade (university chapter) is assigned a full-time advisor to help guide you through the whole brigade process from sign-up to completion
* In-Country Logistics Team - Each brigade (university chapter) will be provided with a team of staff to coordinate their entire volunteer experience
* Alumni Network - After your brigade you will have the opportunity to continue hearing about the great work of GB volunteers, connect through networking events, and learn about possible internships and job opportunities in the non-profit industry

All Global Brigades volunteers have the opportunity to:
* Make a positive tangible impact to rural in-need communities
* Gain first hand experience in sustainable development
* Grow professionally and personally
* Build friendships with community members and other college students across the world
* Help provide feedback to improve Global Brigades - the Student-led Movement!

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

USD820 Program Contribution

Cost Includes:

• Emergency evacuation services
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Medical insurance
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Registration fees
• Travel while in host country
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

Volunteers will be able to participate in a 8 day Medical Brigade in Panama, which includes pre-departure preparation, and all logistics from airport pick-up until airport drop-off. Airfare to Panama is not covered.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

• Community Health
• Health
• Health Care
• Health Education

Age Range

18 - Any (Mainly College Students, however Professional are also welcome)

This Program is open to

American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Dormitory
• Group living

Participants Travel

in Groups

Typically Participants Work

in Groups of 25 Person Minimum

Scholarships are Available

If your University does not yet have a Medical Brigades chapter on campus, you can lead your own brigade! Chapter brigade leaders are provided with a Program Contribution Scholarship if they are able to recruit at least 25 volunteers for their brigade.

Application Process Involves

• In-Person Interview when Feasible
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

1-2 weeks

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Job and Internship Network

Global Brigades, Inc.'s Mission Statement

To empower volunteers to facilitate sustainable solutions in under resourced communities while fostering local cultures.

Year Founded

2004