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Clinics and hospitals for low income families in Cusco tend to be under-funded and under-staffed.

As a result, volunteers can play an important role in assisting local nurses and doctors, while also learning about the healthcare system here. However, it is important that healthcare volunteers have realistic expectations with regard to the activities that they will get involved in (see below).

Pre-med, 1st year or 2nd year medical students

Clinic or hospital for low-income families - Triage: Taking weight, height, blood pressure, heart rate, temperature - Hospital wards: Making beds, cleaning, talking with patients - Materials: Preparing materials, sterilizing equipment
Clinic for mentally and physically disabled children - Activities: Taking the kids to the park or farm, organizing art and crafts workshops, providing individual attention - Mealtimes: Assisting during mealtimes, assisting with tooth brushing
3rd year or 4th year medical students and medical professionals

Clinic or hospital for low-income families - Cleaning wounds, giving injections and sutures - Consult rooms and specialized departments: Assisting doctor taking physicals and histories - Campaigns: Giving vaccinations, taking records, drawing blood samples
Clinic for mentally and physically disabled children - Activities: Taking the kids to the park or farm, organizing art and crafts workshops, providing love and attention - Mealtimes: Assisting during mealtimes, assisting with tooth brushing - Physiotherapy: Providing basic assistance with physiotherapy
N.B. For the medical volunteer program, volunteers need to be training or qualified in a relevant medical field. Naturally, volunteers are required to present a copy of their qualifications and certificates to our program partner on arrival in Peru.