Hospital
The volunteer program takes place at Kanifing General Hospital, a major healthcare facility that provides a wide range of medical services to a population of over 600,000 people. The hospital includes departments for surgery, pediatrics, internal medicine, obstetrics, physiotherapy, and emergency care.
Volunteers assist in various areas, including supporting medical procedures, monitoring patients, assisting in rehabilitation, and helping with the daily operations of different departments.
This program offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in an international healthcare environment. Volunteers can make a meaningful contribution to improving patient care while developing valuable skills and insights for their future medical or healthcare careers.
Role
Assistant in the selected hospital department
Partner Organisation
Kanifing General Hospital
Location
Kanifing, The Gambia
Language
English (basic local phrases welcome)
Type of Travel
Study Visit / Voluntary Work / Group Expedition
Availability
Open year-round
Duration
Minimum 2 weeks; maximum duration is not limited.
Schedule
Mon–Fri, 08:00–16:00; typical volunteer shift 3–5 hours/day
About Kanifing General Hospital
Kanifing General Hospital is one of the largest public healthcare institutions in The Gambia and serves as the main regional hospital for the Kanifing area and the greater capital region. As a regional facility, it provides a wide range of medical services, from basic outpatient care to more advanced diagnostic and surgical procedures.
The hospital comprises several departments, including internal medicine, pediatrics, gynecology and obstetrics, surgery, anesthesiology, radiology, and multiple specialized laboratories (hematology, microbiology, and biochemistry). In addition to providing daily patient care, the hospital also plays a vital role in training healthcare professionals and offering practical placements for both local students and international volunteers.
Due to limited material and technical resources, volunteering at Kanifing General Hospital offers a unique insight into healthcare delivery in a West African context. Volunteers gain valuable experience working under resource-constrained conditions, while actively contributing to improving patient care and supporting local medical teams in their essential work.
Why your help matters
Volunteering in this program is incredibly valuable, as the hospital faces a shortage of staff and essential medical supplies. Every extra pair of hands helps healthcare workers provide better, faster, and more efficient care to patients. Volunteers bring not only much-needed assistance, but also energy, motivation, and encouragement, which are invaluable in challenging working conditions.
At the same time, this program offers volunteers a unique and deeply educational experience. They gain exposure to diseases that are rare in developed countries, learn to work effectively in limited-resource settings, and collaborate closely with experienced local professionals. It is a true exchange of knowledge and skills that benefits both sides.
Volunteers will encounter challenges — such as working with limited resources, adapting to different clinical practices, and navigating cultural and language differences. Yet, these experiences foster professional growth, personal resilience, and a deeper understanding of global solidarity and human connection in healthcare.
Role overview (what you’ll do) — under staff supervision
General/Internal Medicine / Clinical Work
- Performing basic clinical examinations
- Assisting in the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic diseases
- Managing diseases common in African settings (malaria, HIV, tuberculosis)
- Collaborating with doctors, nurses, and other staff in patient care
- Participating in patient education and preventive health activities
Anesthesiology and Surgery
- Assisting in the preparation and monitoring of patients under anesthesia
- Observing vital signs without advanced equipment
- Supporting spinal and general anesthesia procedures
- Preparing and sterilizing surgical instruments
- Assisting the surgical team during operations and emergencies
- Helping with patient transport after surgery
- Gaining insight into surgical work in low-resource settings (limited equipment, power outages, etc.)
Pediatrics
- Participating in morning ward rounds and handovers
- Assisting in the care of children with diarrhea, dehydration, and malnutrition
- Supporting treatment of eye infections and other complications in malnourished children
- Helping care for newborns in the neonatal unit
- Participating in specialized clinics for sickle cell anemia
- Assisting nurses in administering medication and providing general patient care
Gynecology and Obstetrics
- Participating in ward rounds and handovers
- Assisting with patient admissions and documentation
- Supporting the care of pregnant and postpartum women
- Inserting and monitoring intravenous lines
- Monitoring fetal heart rate and labor progression
- Assisting during deliveries and postpartum care
- Observing and helping in surgical procedures (cesarean section, hernia repair, myoma removal, etc.)
- Assisting in patient transport, medication administration, and postoperative care
- Learning about surgical techniques and procedures in obstetrics and gynecology
Radiology
- Assisting in CT scans (head, chest, abdomen, spine)
- Performing ultrasound examinations (abdomen, pelvis, breast, limbs, pregnancy)
- Preparing patients for examinations and assisting with report writing
- Attending daily staff meetings and case discussions
- Learning about differences in healthcare systems and diagnostic standards
Laboratory
- Performing blood collection (capillary and venous) and preparing blood smears
- Conducting basic analyses (hemoglobin concentration, blood glucose, basic blood counts)
- Assisting with rapid diagnostic tests (serology, malaria, sickle cell anemia)
- Staining and microscopically examining blood smears
- Processing various samples (urine, stool, sputum, wound swabs) and conducting basic urine analysis
- Supporting microbiological testing (cultures, bacterial identification, antibiograms)
- Assisting with documentation and record keeping
- Learning technical terminology and laboratory procedures
Pharmacy
- Packaging tablets
- Preparing syrups and other pharmaceutical formulations
- Organizing and labeling stock in the storage area
- Advising patients on proper medication use and basic healthcare
- Assisting with prescription preparation
- Labeling medications
- Helping with cleaning and maintaining the work area
Who we’re looking for
Volunteering in a hospital environment requires specific personal qualities and a strong commitment to helping others. The ideal volunteer is guided by compassion, empathy, and a genuine desire to support people in difficult circumstances. Equally important are flexibility, teamwork, a positive attitude, openness to cultural differences, reliability, and a strong sense of responsibility.
Hospital work can be emotionally demanding, often carried out under challenging conditions — including limited resources, different clinical practices, and at times procedures that may be distressing to witness. Therefore, this role is best suited for individuals who are emotionally resilient, able to remain calm, professional, and patient in all situations.
Some departments — such as emergency care, surgery, and obstetrics — can be especially intense, requiring an extra level of preparedness, focus, and endurance.
A background or studies in medicine, nursing, or related healthcare fields is a prerequisite for participation in this program.
Workplace safety, patient protection and volunteer guidelines
All volunteer work is carried out under the supervision of qualified medical staff. Volunteers do not hold independent responsibility for patients; they assist within the limits of their knowledge, experience, and the instructions provided by their mentor.
Medical procedures may only be performed if the volunteer is properly trained and has received explicit permission from hospital staff. Otherwise, volunteers are expected to observe and provide supportive assistance.
Protecting patient dignity and privacy is an absolute rule. Taking photos or sharing any content on social media without prior written consent from both the hospital administration and the patient is strictly prohibited.
All medical and personal information about patients is strictly confidential and must not be discussed outside the professional team.
Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) — including uniform, face mask, gloves, and sanitizer — is mandatory. Volunteers must bring their own basic equipment and ensure it is used properly and consistently.
To maintain personal safety, volunteers must avoid direct contact with potentially infectious materials without proper protection and strictly adhere to the hospital’s hygiene protocols.
Finally, volunteers are expected to respect all instructions, cultural practices, and local procedures. It is important to understand that working conditions and medical practices may differ from those in their home country, and flexibility and respect are essential at all times.
Training & supervision
On the first day, each volunteer is accompanied by a program coordinator, who provides an orientation tour and an introduction to the hospital’s organization and daily operations.
Every volunteer is assigned a mentor — an experienced member of the medical staff — who gradually introduces them to the tasks and procedures of their department. The mentor ensures that the volunteer feels safe, included, and supported throughout their placement. The level of responsibility given is adjusted according to the volunteer’s knowledge, experience, and the level of trust built during collaboration.
It is essential that volunteers communicate openly about the tasks they feel confident performing and honestly express when they lack the necessary skills or knowledge. This ensures that all work is carried out safely, responsibly, and in accordance with hospital standards.
The program also includes daily check-ins with coordinators, where volunteers can share experiences, ask questions, and receive additional guidance or emotional support.
At the end of the volunteering period, there is a final reflection session to review and discuss the experience. Upon request, volunteers receive an official certificate of participation for their work at the hospital.
How to prepare
Working in a hospital requires both mental and physical preparation. The conditions can be demanding, with a frequent shortage of basic medical supplies, so every volunteer must ensure they are well-equipped and take personal safety seriously.
What to Bring:
- A uniform or protective lab coat to wear daily
- Comfortable, closed-toe shoes suitable for long hours on your feet
- Stethoscope (optional, depending on your role)
- Protective face masks
- Hand sanitizer
- Disposable gloves (enough pairs for daily use)
- Protective goggles (if needed)
- Notebook for recording procedures, observations, and instructions
- Wet wipes or antibacterial wipes
- Light, breathable clothing suitable for warm weather
- Raincoat or umbrella (during the rainy season)
- Small backpack or bag for personal items
Recommendations and Conduct in the Hospital Environment:
- Keep your personal belongings with you at all times, as items can easily go missing.
- Respect hospital rules and always follow the guidance of local staff.
- Be aware that religious practices are part of daily life — prayers are common. Show respect and openness toward all faiths and customs.
- Exercise patience and understanding, as the hospital staff often work under significant pressure.
- Refresh your medical English terminology, as this will make communication with local professionals much easier.
- Protective equipment is often limited or unavailable, so ensure you bring everything you need for safe and effective work.
Program Goals
The program aims to promote the exchange of knowledge and professional experience between international volunteers and local medical staff. Volunteers gain practical skills and a deeper understanding of healthcare delivery in resource-limited settings, while the hospital benefits from additional support that helps improve the efficiency and quality of patient care.
Foundraising and donations
Each volunteer is encouraged to contribute to fundraising efforts. Based on experience, it is usually possible to raise at least €250 with minimal effort. These funds are transferred directly to the donation account of Kanifing General Hospital. The hospital allocates the funds according to its most urgent needs, but it is important to note that donations are essential for maintaining volunteer placements — the hospital requires this contribution as a condition for accepting new volunteers.
If additional funds are raised, they may be used — in consultation with the volunteer team — to purchase specific supplies or materials that the hospital needs most at that time.
A portion of the donations also goes toward covering medical expenses for children with critical health conditions. Volunteers are additionally encouraged to support daily visits to the Bakoteh Transitional Home for Children and local kindergartens, directly helping children in need and strengthening community care.
Material donations are also welcome; however, due to limited luggage space, we recommend bringing only small quantities of essential items.
MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES NEEDED
Medical supplies and protective equipment:
Protective masks, gloves, safety goggles, hand and surface sanitizers, thermometers, stethoscopes, basic instruments (scissors, tweezers), single-use syringes and needles.
Basic consumables:
Bandages, gauze, plasters, diapers, and hygiene products.
Other supplies:
Basic office materials such as notebooks, pens, and similar items.
Financial donations:
Used to secure the volunteer placement and provide direct support to the hospital’s ongoing needs.
How it works?
Click HERE to learn everything you need to know—in one place—about how volunteering with us works and how to prepare.
Stories of Our Volunteers
Zala Košir
This can’t be started differently than to say that the experience was amazing, and it truly warmed my heart. If you are thinking of going to The Gambia as a volunteer, don’t wait any longer – just go for it. You won’t regret it. I know I should start at the beginning, so I’ll go back now.