Week-to-week
CODE: m

MEDICAL PROJECT

The YESD healthcare project, “YESynDrome”, aims to partner with international medical organizations to provide general check-up services for ethnic minority groups in the mountainous region of Ha Giang.

Volunteers joining the Medical Project in Ha Giang work in community health clinics and mobile outreach units throughout the province. These facilities provide essential healthcare services to underserved populations, including those who cannot afford private medical care.

The program focuses on delivering basic medical care, health education, and preventive services. Activities include treating minor ailments, conducting health screenings, and providing information on hygiene, nutrition, and disease prevention. Volunteers also engage in awareness programs addressing issues like maternal and child health.

Counseling services and mental health support are integral to the clinics, with a team that includes local doctors, nurses, and social workers. This program offers an excellent opportunity for medical students and practitioners seeking international experience in a resource-limited setting.

Volunteers may also participate in various awareness initiatives and counseling sessions, gaining valuable exposure to different aspects of healthcare. The environment can be challenging, as clinics may be understaffed and busy, requiring flexibility and adaptability. Volunteers are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the local context and proactively assist where needed, making a meaningful impact on community health.

Trip Highlight

  • You have the opportunity to work in a local clinic/hospital in Ha Giang, Vietnam.
  • Work under professionals and contribute to the healthcare of the underserved in the Vietnamese community.
  • Ideal for medical and nursing students in their final/third year of study.
  • Be actively involved in the daily procedures of the hospital, taking rounds of the wards, maintaining files, and doing routine patient checkups like measuring Blood pressure, checking fever, etc.
  • Explore Vietnam and visit Ha Giang’s famous attractions on the weekend.

Program Requirement

  • Good at English. Have a basic understanding of Blood pressure, Blood sugar, First Aid, and Medical Care
  • Be able to use a Sphygmomanometer and Blood Glucose Meter.
  • Prepare your medical uniform, Sphygmomanometer, and Blood Glucose Meter.
  • Other things depend on the group activities (will be discussed)
  • Customize it to your preference.

Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities

1. Patient Intake
  • Takes vital signs
  • Sets up and takes down area each day
  • Greets patients and gets them signed in
  • Collects patient health history and chief complaint
2. Medical Care Provider
  • Sets up and takes down treatment area each day
  • Conducts physical exam based on patient’s chief complaint and medical record and makes diagnosis
  • Suggests treatment
  • Review health education and preventative measures with the patient
  • Writes script if applicable
3. Well Care Provider
  • Sets up and takes down treatment area each day
  • Review any health concerns with the patient
  • Conducts physical exam
  • Directs patient back to triage staff if something is noted that needs a medical care provider’s attention
  • Provides one-on-one health education (asks questions, offers tips based on the answers)
  • Writes nonprescription-based scripts ( vitamins, antacids, analgesics, etc.)
4. Pharmacy Staff
  • Sets up and takes down pharmacy daily
  • Processes scripts
  • Explains to patients how to use and store the medication
5. Communication and Education Staff
  • Sets up the community education area
  • Skills of crowd control
  • Creates class schedule
  • Organizes attendees
  • Introduces the topic and the instructor
  • Organizes teaching aids and giveaways for each class
Medical Trip in Vietnam
Medical Trip in Vietnam
Medical Trip in Southeast Asia

Impactful

Cross-culture Exchange

Medical Training

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Project location

Phuong Tien commune, located in the north of Vi Xuyen district, Ha Giang, has an average income of $1584 in 2023, significantly lower than Vietnam’s national average of $4284.
The Phuong Tien health clinic, serving 3,080 residents from eight villages, plays a key role in disease prevention, maternal and child healthcare, and medical treatment. It has made notable progress, such as handling 2,846 medical cases in 2018 and achieving high vaccination rates among children.
Address: Phuong Tien commune, Vi Xuyen district, Ha Giang Province. 

Volunteer Work Schedule

DAY 1: Orientation Day Briefing:
– Overview of Vietnam and its culture. (traffic, food, money expenses, culture…)
– Go over the whole program.
– Vietnamese lesson – Q&A.
DAY 2: Transfer day to Ha Giang.
DAY 3+4: Observational visit at Ha Giang General Hospital – Orientation with the director of the hospital.
Medical Trip in Southeast Asia
– Visit the patients in each ward, and speak to them to learn about their condition.
– Shadow the doctors in examination rooms.
– Shadow the doctors in the Operation room/ ICU/ Pharmacy.
NOTE:
  • Dress code: wearing nursing clothes, covered footshoes/sandals.
  • Based on the operation time of the hospital, some workshops will be arranged for the group to discuss with the patients, local nurses, and doctors.
Charity Activity: Cooking charity porridge and offering it to difficult patients at Ha Giang General Hospital.
DAY 5: Observational visit at Phuong Tien health clinic
– Orientation session with the nurses at the clinic Medication learning session
– Set up your mobile clinic
NOTE:
  • Mobile clinic’s location: Phuong Tien Community House
  • Dress code at the working station: wearing nursing clothes, covered foot shoes/sandals No shorts/tank tops at the village.
  • Medical equipment for next working days: stereoscopes, blood pressure, scales, flashlight, gloves, masks
  • Station set up for next working days:
    • Registration table
    • Number – Scale – height – weight measurement station
    • Assessment table
    • Table for the local nurses
    • Pharmacy
    • Crowd control student
DAY 6: Clinic Day 1 – Working station at the community house
DAY 7: Clinic Day 2 – Working station at the community house
DAY 8: Clinic Day 3 – Working station at the community house
DAY 9: Clinic Day 4 – Working station at the community house
DAY 10: Clinic Day 15 – Working station at the community house
DAY 11: Day off (Free activities)
DAY 12: Clinic Day 6 – Working station at the community house
DAY 13: Clinic Day 7 – Working station at the community house
DAY 14: Clinic Day 8 – Working station at the community house
DAY 15: Clinic Day 9 – Working station at the community house
DAY 16: Clinic Day 10 – Working station at the community house
DAY 17: Day off (Free activities)
DAY 18 (Suggested activities): Day for girls (& boys)
Medical Trip in Vietnam
Sex Education and reproduction health education for girls and health promotion for boys at the local secondary & high school.
DAY 19: Local Cultural Exchange Day – Getting an insight into the local.
Medical Trip in Vietnam
DAY 20: Departure day back to Ha Noi.

Airport Transfer

Volunteers are picked up from the Noi Bai International Airport by the local coordinator (YESD Vietnam). Those volunteers who are arriving overland or are already in Hanoi will be picked up from the hotel or at a meeting point decided beforehand.

Accommodation

Volunteers are provided accommodation in the volunteer house or in a family-operated and centrally located guesthouse in Ha Giang.
The volunteer house is located in Ha Giang near the local market. The house provides volunteers with a comfortable, simple, and relaxing place to live.
Presently, the volunteer house can accommodate more than twenty volunteers in five rooms. Rooms in the house are shared. Rooms have fans and AC. If the volunteers need any help or assistance they can always come to the local team office, which is in the same building and literally right next door.
Wifi Internet is available at the volunteer house.
Participants also have the option to choose to upgrade to a single private room at an additional charge at the guesthouse accommodation. In case of non-availability at the volunteer house during busy periods, participants are provided accommodation in a guesthouse.
For those participants wishing to stay at a homestay, local hosts are also available.

Orientation

An intensive orientation will be provided by the YESD project leader. Areas like culture, greetings, locations, transportation, safety, and volunteer placements are explained during the orientation. Volunteers are given a local tour of Ha Giang as well as a welcome dinner.

Meals

Vietnamese cuisine is famous among other countries in the world. Local food will be a great choice for people who love Vietnamese cuisine. During your stay at the volunteer house, the local family will provide food. A cooking team follows the group to take care of food hygiene.
The menu will offer for selection of the foods you prefer:
  • Breakfast: Start from 6:00 AM -7:30 AM, foods such as banh mi or crepe, tea, coffee, and fresh fruit are included.
  • Lunch: Start from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM, foods such as soup or stir-fried with a main dish consisting of rice, noodles, fresh vegetables, chicken, beef, or pork.
  • Dinner: Start from 5:40 PM – 7:00 PM, food is similar to lunch, so you typically come together to eat with others.
  • If you are vegetarian or have special requests (food allergies). Please notify us in advance for support.

Weekends

Ha Giang is a mountainous province in northern Vietnam known for its stunning landscapes, including rugged peaks, deep valleys, and terraced rice fields.
It’s home to diverse ethnic minority communities, each with unique cultures and traditions. Popular for motorbike tours (Ha Giang loop) and trekking, Ha Giang offers an authentic and off-the-beaten-path experience for adventurous travelers.

WHY TRAVEL WITH YESD?

Authentic

We give local people employment, income and learning opportunities so they are directly involved in your tourism experience. Our guides and hosts will give you a special insight into culture and life in Vietnam.

Responsible

We aim to minimise the negative impacts of tourism on the environment and the local community while contributing positively to local economies. We don’t just talk responsible tourism, we act!

Tours that translate

10% of all profits from our tours go towards a community fund. This money allows us to make infrastructure improvements and provide other important resources to those in need.

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