Helping where need and misery are part of everyday life
Swiss Doctors and its German partner, German Doctors, are working in several countries in the Global South to help people who would otherwise have no access to medical care. Our biggest concern is to help people to help themselves. In all projects, we therefore work at eye level with the local healthcare staff in order to strengthen local healthcare structures.
To ensure that the help remains sustainable, we transfer responsibility wherever possible and encourage independence, train and educate staff and inform patients about health-related issues.
Our projects have different focal points, which always depend on the needs of the local population. Our Swiss Doctors are currently working in Bangladesh, India, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Uganda and the Philippines. We are also committed to helping refugees in Greece and in the field of sea rescue.
"Once a week, a Swiss or German Doctor accompanies the team of social workers to visit residents of the Mathare Valley slum who are suffering from chronic illnesses. I quickly realise that there is simply no solution to many of the problems here. The hardships are hard to bear, but there are also many beautiful moments.
At the end of my assignment, I am grateful for all the medical and human experiences I had in Nairobi and the many nice people I met. I would definitely like to work as a doctor abroad again!"
Dr. Anke Zlotnik
Medical officer
The foreign assignment as a doctor
6 weeks of voluntary work
As a Swiss Doctor, you volunteer for 6 weeks in one of our project regions. As the local doctors are continuously involved in the health and prevention programmes, our short-term assignments make a lasting difference to the lives of the local people.
Working in a team with local healthcare staff
On site, you will work hand in hand with the local team, i.e. the local healthcare staff. This is not only essential for communication, but also for adapting to the patients` culture and religion.
As a rule, you will work with another Swiss or German doctor in the project or in a team of several doctors. In some projects, only one Swiss or German doctor works on the project - but always in close co-operation with the local health personnel
Work in the project
Your assignment abroad is about two things: Helping and teaching - because this is the only way to make help last.
Helping
The missions are primarily concerned with providing basic medical care to patients. Although some projects require specialist knowledge, the Swiss Doctors have a general medical focus.
They often provide care for diseases that are rare or non-existent in Switzerland. At the same time, the diagnostic and therapeutic options are very limited compared to Switzerland. However, this is exactly what we prepare you for in advance.
Depending on the project, you may work in a fixed outpatient clinic or hold your daily consultation at different locations with a rolling clinic. This depends mainly on the conditions and needs in the project region.
The rooms are not air-conditioned, which means that it can get very hot and humid in some projects, depending on the climate and time of the year. In most cases, the rooms are also noisier than you are used to at home. In the rolling clinic in the Philippines, rooms can only be set up sporadically and therefore cannot be properly shielded. It is often very loud here too.
Teaching
In addition to medical care, our projects also include training and teaching local healthcare staff and sensitising our patients for health-related topics such as hygiene and family planning. Step by step, we transfer more and more responsibility to them, giving them the opportunity to lead a self-determined life.
PLEASE NOTE!
Our partner organisation German Doctors in Bonn is responsible for planning and coordinating the missions. You are welcome to obtain information from Swiss Doctors in advance. For planning, we will refer you to your contact person Carola Walter, who you can reach by E-Mail or by telephone on 0049-228-387597-12.
Are you interested?
Interested doctors can contact us at any time. Feel free to contact Dr Gudrun Jäger!
The path to the project
Assignment requirements
All requirements for working as a doctor abroad at a glance.
Applying to become a Swiss Doctor
Find out all the important steps involved in the application process.
Preparation for the assignment
Seminars, dates and information on preparing for your assignment.
Weitere Informationen für Ihren Einsatz
Frequently asked questions about volunteering abroad
What requirements do I need to volunteer as a doctor?
- At least three years of professional experience
- Readiness to work on a voluntary, i.e. unpaid, basis
- First assignment up to the age of 70
- Age limit of 74 years for doctors who have already been on a mission
- English language skills
You should also agree with the basic attitude of Swiss Doctors and, of course, be highly motivated and willing to work. Here you will find all the requirements for an assignment abroad at a glance.
How am I insured during the assignment?
We will buy an insurance package for you for the duration of your assignment - regardless of your private insurance. In this way, we ensure the best possible insurance cover and have a functioning procedure in the event of a claim. Included in the insurance package are: Insurance with the workers’ compensation board, health insurance for abroad, professional liability insurance abroad and accident insurance abroad.
As we pay expenses with every assignment - including for insurance - most Swiss Doctors contribute to the costs incurred with a donation in the amount of the flat-rate assignment costs.
Is it possible to join with my family or partner?
No, unless you are both working as doctors in the project. In our experience, living together with other Swiss or German Doctors promotes group life on site. However, many partners come to the assignment location before or after the assignment and spend a holiday together in the respective country.
What guidelines do the Swiss Doctors follow?
We follow the treatment recommendations of the WHO and national guidelines where these are available. We try to use our limited resources in a way that we reach as many people in need as possible with our work.
What illnesses do Swiss Doctors mainly treat?
We only cover treatment costs for patients who cannot afford to see a doctor or are unable to pay for the necessary treatment. Further diagnostic measures may only be ordered if the result leads to therapeutic consequences we can afford.
Will I be paid for my work?
No, our missions are voluntary, which is why our Swiss Doctors do not receive any remuneration for their medical work. This way we ensure that the better part of our donors' money goes directly to helping people on the ground.
What costs do I have to pay?
Most of our Swiss Doctors contribute to the costs with a donation in the amount of the flat-rate mission costs. You will receive a donation receipt and can claim it for tax.
In principle, a donation is always voluntary. So, there is no obligation to donate the flat-rate costs and it is not a precondition. By donating, however, we can ensure that the maximum of our donors' money benefits the people on the ground.
The flat rate costs vary depending on the project region. You can find an overview in the PDF file.