Medical Volunteer Program in Nepal: An Unforgettable Journey into Community Healthcare

This immersive program is crafted for healthcare professionals—doctors, nurses, pharmacists, radiologists, and other experts—providing a unique opportunity for hands-on experience in Nepal’s rural and semi-urban healthcare settings. Tailored placements offer medical students and volunteers a chance to engage deeply with healthcare challenges and community needs in developing areas.

 Placement Locations and Challenges

Volunteers are placed in community hospitals across various regions of Nepal, from Kathmandu to more remote areas like Sindhupalchok, Lamjung, and Parbat. Many of these hospitals face financial constraints, resulting in understaffing, limited equipment, and essential supplies. Resource challenges also mean rural areas struggle to attract and retain qualified medical staff, making the role of volunteers especially impactful.

Volunteer Activities and Contributions

Volunteers actively assist local health personnel with everyday patient care, including:

• Conducting patient examinations
• Administering medications and injections
• Dressing wounds
• Teaching hygiene practices
• Ensuring hospital cleanliness

Volunteers may also participate in medical camps to provide healthcare in underserved communities, particularly if they have limited time to spend at the hospital.

 Responsibilities and Community Impact

Beyond clinical tasks, volunteers support community education and health initiatives, such as:

• Teaching health and sanitation to schoolchildren and orphanages
• Helping manage medical records and local drug stores
• Participating in public health outreach

Program Support and Orientation

Our program begins with a warm welcome at the Kathmandu airport, followed by an orientation to the Hands for Help office and a detailed briefing on project responsibilities. Volunteers gain insights into Nepali culture, healthcare challenges, and local logistics, helping them adjust to their new environment. The orientation also includes guided tours of iconic sites, like the Monkey Temple and Boudhanath Stupa, to deepen cultural understanding.

 Program Dates and Duration

The program starts twice monthly, on the 1st and 16th. Volunteers may participate for 2 weeks to 5 months, with flexible scheduling to meet individual needs.

Accommodation and Meals

During the orientation, volunteers stay in a Kathmandu hostel. For placements outside Kathmandu, accommodation options include local host families or hostels with basic facilities. Traditional Nepali meals, such as daal (lentil soup) and bhaat (rice), are served twice daily, with breakfast around 8:30 am and dinner around 7:30 pm.

 Sightseeing and Excursions

To enrich the volunteer experience, cultural excursions are offered during the induction phase. Volunteers visit historic sites such as Kathmandu Durbar Square, Pashupatinath Temple, and other landmarks, providing context to their work and a chance to explore Nepal’s cultural heritage.

Why Volunteer with Us?

Embark on a meaningful journey as a medical volunteer in Nepal, where you’ll contribute directly to community health, support under-resourced hospitals, and make a lasting difference for those in need. Join us to experience the richness of Nepal’s culture, the warmth of its people, and the rewarding impact of community service.