Opportunity Details

The Hôpital de District de Kolofata is a public, government district hospital located in the Far North Province of Cameroon. The 17-year-old 80-bed hospital is the referral hospital for six rural health centers serving a population of 112,000 subsistence farmers and herders. It is directed by an American physician supported by Volunteer International Christian Service, an ecumenical NGO based in Canada. The hospital staff also includes a Canadian administrator, a Congolese surgeon, and 46 Cameroonian nurses and auxiliaries.
The bulk of surgical work involves: complications of pregnancy, urological problems (prostatectomies, urethral strictures, and stones), hernias and hydroceles, appendicitis and other intestinal pathologies, trauma, and orthopaedics (chronic osteomyelitis, fractures, amputations). At present the anesthesia is limited to ketamine, spinals and locals.

Our purpose in asking for volunteers is three fold: 1) to provide our surgeon with continuing education, 2) to provide relief for our surgical staff, and 3) to establish ongoing relationships with surgeons or surgical services in North America with a view towards further developing our services.

Housing is available in town, within a mile of the hospital. Volunteers will be responsible for all additional costs (food, travel, etc.).

The hospital frequently hosts medical students and residents from the US and Canada.

 

Participants will need the following documents to enter Cameroon: a passport that is valid for 6 months after entry, a visa that should adequately cover the length of stay (a Certificate of Accommodation from the host hospital and a copy of the round trip plane ticket will be required for visa application), and a certificate of vaccination against yellow fever. For more information please visit: www.ambacam-usa.org

Cameroon, Africa
Volunteer Toolkit

Ellen M. Einterz, MD
Medical Director
Direct Line: +237-75-02-49-18

Actively Practicing Surgeons, Residents, Medical Students

While in the country, the volunteer should have on hand proof of his/her professional status: medical license.

While in the country, the volunteer should have on hand proof of his/her professional status: medical license.

While in the country, the volunteer should have on hand proof of his/her professional status: medical school ID.

 

Medical students are often hosted for elective or vacation rotations. Housing is provided, but no other subsidy is available.