Sri Lanka Pre-Medical Internship

Spend between 2 and 12 weeks volunteering in a range of medical settings. Gain invaluable work experience in a variety of wards / units, make a real difference to local communities and explore your stunning local area in your free time.

What kind of work will I get involved with on the project?

Your work in the hospital will be mostly observation based as you don’t have any formal medical experience (although certain units allow for more hands-on work) and you’ll have daily contact with doctors and nurses.

You’ll have the opportunity to work in a range of settings including Teaching Hospital Karapitiya (the 3rd largest in Sri Lanka), the Government Ayurveda Institute and various community projects including local schools and community organisations.

You’ll have access to a broad range of wards, units and institutions (availability and length of stay dependent), including:

1. Emergency Treatment Centre (ETC) – bedside teaching, patient management, ward class with ward rounds, checking vital signs of patients (if staff permit), observing live surgeries in casualty operation theatre and post casualty theatre under the direct guidance of the surgeon.

2. General Surgical Units – joining the ward rounds with the consultant and medical staff, assisting medical staff with wound dressing, checking vital signs of patients, observing live surgeries (e.g. cholecystectomy, appendectomy, hernia repair, thyroidectomy)

3. Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation Unit – working closely with a physiotherapist and occupational therapist to support patients with daily physiotherapy and occupational therapy exercises, carrying out group activities to support the patient's mental well-being

4. General Paediatric Wards – studying the history of the patients with the support of medical/nursing staff, joining the ward rounds, helping mothers feed their children, performing activities to socialise with children (with parental consent)

5. Paediatric Cardiology Unit – attending paediatric cardiac catheter lab, observing live paediatric cardiac surgeries, attending clinical sessions with the consultants.

6. Observation of special surgeries – observing surgeries on a rotational basis including vascular surgeries, plastic surgeries, urology-related surgeries, neuro surgeries, casualty, oncology surgeries (availability dependant)

7. Community Projects – working with local schools, villages, and community groups to create awareness around first aid and basic hygiene practices, attending medical campaigns, attending active teaching sessions with special needs/differently abled children and socialising with senior citizens in elderly care centres.

8. Ayurvedic Medicine – learning about the traditional eastern practice of Ayurveda.

The average week on the project

The project runs all year round from Saturday to Saturday. Volunteer work is from Monday to Friday (4 – 5 hours a day). The weekends are yours to explore the local area.

Training and monitoring

When you arrive, you’ll take part in a detailed training and orientation programme including health and safety, culture training, an area orientation tour, and an overview of the Sri Lankan medical industry. You’ll be given ongoing guidance and support by our experienced medical project coordinator and the wider team.

Where you’ll stay

You’ll stay in our awesome volunteer house in the Galle area of southern Sri Lanka, just 100m from the golden sands of Unawatuna Beach and a short drive from the historic city of Galle. The house has a private garden, swimming pool and tons of communal space.