HEALTHCARE

Projects: Healthcare

GUIDANCE NOTES THE CAMP WAY

Does the project involve healthcare or health education?

Does the project involve a visit to a healthcare facility?

Some expeditions involve healthcare related activities as there is a great need for these in developing countries. However, travelling volunteers are often not qualified to deliver health interventions.

Some projects involve visits to healthcare facilities. Patients are extremely vulnerable, and it can be hard to ensure patient privacy and confidentiality when visitor groups are allowed inside facilities.

Does the project require volunteers to administer healthcare to community members?

Some projects place volunteers in the role of healthcare providers, often as a way to combat resource shortages in healthcare facilities overseas. Having unqualified volunteers administer healthcare can place both the patient and the volunteer at risk. Volunteers never take on any role that they would not

Does the project require volunteers to educate others about health concepts?

Some expeditions involve health education, usually in order to improve behaviours such as hygiene practices. In some cases, volunteers are educated enough on the topic to deliver clear messaging, or else there are language or cultural barriers. Volunteers only educate about concepts that they know well, that are not culturally sensitive (such as womens health) and that they would be allowed to educate on in their home country.

All healthcare work undertaken by volunteers would be allowed and appropriate for them to undertake in their home country.

CI avoids visits to healthcare facilities unless there are specified objectives that the volunteers are qualified to deliver.

be qualified to do in their home country.