Medical Action – the way to make a difference

A little about the organisation Medical Action (MA) was set up in 1978 by a group
of doctors and nurses, shocked about the living conditions of refugees that they
had witnessed during African civil wars. Originally, they planned to provide basic
healthcare and food to refugees in conflict areas, in order to minimise the spread
of disease, help people recover from disease and avoid famine. The organisation
gained NGO status in 1998 and won the National Peace Award for its medical
work with refugees in 2000. Because it is important for MA to maintain political
independence, the organisation does not accept funding from local or national
governments. It totally relies on individual contributions and subscriptions.
How you can help
We are currently recruiting and training medical staff to work for six months at
one of the 15 MA-run refugee camps in Africa. The experience of working in a
camp is certainly an education: far from dealing with helpless victims, staff
working at the camps learn that refugees are generally strong, positive and
resourceful individuals, despite the horrific experiences they have lived through.
Medical staff are provided with a one-month training programme,
transportation on arrival, food and accommodation, private health insurance
and a weekly salary of 200 US dollars. The only cost for staff is the air fare. We
also have volunteering opportunities at our central office, for those interested in
lobbying and fund-raising activities. This is a great way to learn more about
African society and to gain useful experience and skills that can be included on a
CV. For further information about volunteering in the UK, please visit our
website.
Requirements for entry and the application process for medical staff
If you want to apply for a medical staff role, you must have a degree in nursing
or medicine, a minimum of three years work experience and be 25 to 55 years
old. It would also be an advantage if you have a clean driving licence and
previous experience working with vulnerable groups, but these are not essential.
Although medical expertise and organisational skills are very important,
tolerance and respect for the beliefs and customs of others is absolutely essential.
If you meet these specifications and you're committed to making a difference,
we'd love to hear from you. Just send us your CV and letter of application to the
email address below.