To care for the health and wellbeing of others is truly one of the most rewarding things one can ever do.  To volunteer your time, skills and compassion to a disadvantaged community in South Africa is certainly one of the most meaningful.  Medical staff are in short supply, and volunteers desperately needed to fill the gaps and care for some of Cape Town’s most deserving communities through its public healthcare system of hospitals and clinics.  Public healthcare in Cape Town is severely under-funded, lacking adequate resources and staffing.  This results in long waiting periods, shortages in medicinal supplies and equipment and a lack of qualified doctors, nurses and other medical staff.

Volunteers on this critical healthcare program are hosted in the homely and safe program Volunteer House in the university suburb of Observatory – a bustling melting pot of people, culture and music with a vibrant shopping, café, restaurant and bar scene.   Join us in the stunning location of Cape Town to experience this amazing city and its beautiful neighbouring region including vineyards, beaches and wildlife, all while supporting its friendly people.  

While South African cities are seen to have a high standard of healthcare, this generally only applies to those fortunate enough to have private medical healthcare. Private options are extremely expensive and often out of the reach of the average resident.  This program provides the perfect opportunity for both qualified medics and med students, of every study level, to help those truly in need, share their skills and gain an insight into the way things are done in the South African medical health system. Please note that due to regulations, volunteers (even if fully qualified in their home country) are able to treat patients only under the supervision of a resident qualified doctor.

Volunteers’ duties however are many and varied, and each volunteer will put their skills to the best use possible. Duties could include observation work with doctors and therapists, prep room duties such as blood and urine testing, body measurements such as weight, temperature, sugar levels, blood pressure, etc, baby clinic duties, administration, assisting with pharmacy duties, prescription and dispensing of medicines and assisting with fundraising and medical awareness programs. Put your skills to the test helping Cape Town’s wonderful people on an experience of a lifetime.

Stay in our friendly accommodation with like-minded volunteer travellers from all around the world and enjoy all that this fantastic city has to offer! Join us in Cape Town and make your travel meaningful!