Medical Support
Madagascar
Gain exposure to healthcare while supporting local health teams with essential tasks and health education outreach.
Overview
Duration
2-12 Weeks
Minimum Age
18+
Start Dates
1st & 3rd Monday of every month
Fees From
$854 USD
UN SDGs
The main UN Sustainability Goal of this program focuses on SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being by supporting community access to basic health information and services.
Additional goals, such as SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals are also incorporated into this program.
What You'll Be Doing
Volunteers must be studying medicine, nursing, midwifery, or a related field, or hold a professional medical qualification.
Activities vary depending on your background and the needs of the patients at the clinics.
Volunteer activities may include:
- Assisting with patient intake and translation (if French-speaking)
- Recording basic patient information (e.g. height, weight, temperature)
- Assisting with patient consultations (if appropriate and approved)
- Organising health workshops (e.g. hygiene, nutrition, maternal health)
- Supporting the construction of medical stations
- Helping with clinic maintenance or supply organisation
- Accompanying outreach visits to nearby villages (if available)
Why It Matters
Many of Madagascar’s remote communities face challenges accessing even basic healthcare. Clinics are often underfunded, medical supplies are scarce, and health literacy is low. By supporting these local clinics and running preventative health education sessions, volunteers help strengthen community wellbeing from the ground up.
The focus of this program is not only on treatment, but also on capacity building and working alongside local teams to improve health awareness, hygiene, and patient support.
A Day in the Life
Volunteers will support clinical staff with non-invasive treatments and assist in patient care under supervision.
Typical Weekday Schedule:
- Mornings: Assist at the village clinic
- Afternoons: Medical data entry, educational initiatives
- Evenings: Briefings, volunteer socials, and/or time to relax
Tasks vary based on community needs, clinic hours, and seasonal outreach priorities.
Weekends are free to explore the surrounding islands or relax on the beach with a good book.
Your Impact
By joining this program, you:
- Support rural healthcare delivery and improve patient flow
- Contribute to preventative health education
- Assist with hygiene and sanitation improvements
- Help local staff focus on direct patient care
- Build cross-cultural understanding in global health contexts
Where You'll Be Staying
You will be based between the main camp on Nosy Komba and the secondary camp located on the mainland, with outreach activities extending to the nearby health clinics and villages. Volunteers travel by boat to support basic clinical services, health education workshops, and mobile medical outreach.
Accommodation & Meals
Base Camp
Volunteers sleep in wooden bungalows (4–6 people per room), with shared bathrooms (flush toilets, cold showers). There is a large main house where volunteer activities take place and a dive deck for relaxing and spotting turtles.
Solar energy powers the lighting, with limited charging — we recommend bringing a power bank. There’s no Wi-Fi on-site, but mobile data works with a local SIM, and Wi-Fi is available in the nearby village of Ampang (30-minute walk).
Secondary Camp
While working at the secondary camp on the mainland, you will stay in large rustic huts on the beach. Facilities are basic with bucket toilets and showers but the setting is peaceful, with ocean views and forest sounds.
As this is a remote village, no Wi-Fi is available, and cellphone service is limited.
Meals
Three meals a day are prepared by the on-site cook using fresh, local ingredients. Meals are rice-based with vegetables and beans, and occasionally include fish, chicken, or zebu. Breakfasts may include fruit, bread, eggs, or crepes.
Vegetarian meals are available. Vegan options are limited, so additional snacks or supplements will be required.
Who Can Join
This program is open to volunteers with a background or strong interest in healthcare, public health, or medicine. It’s ideal for medical students, nursing students, public health graduates, or qualified professionals looking to contribute to meaningful outreach.
Requirements:
- Age 18+
- Basic English or French proficiency
- Background in medicine, nursing, public health, or first aid
- Comfortable working in basic conditions with minimal resources
- Respect for patient privacy and local healthcare practices
This program is best suited to pre-med and medical students, nursing students, public health majors, and healthcare professionals seeking hands-on, ethical volunteer experience in a rural, cross-cultural setting.
Program Pricing
Your program fees directly support the operations of our local team in Madagascar and the services we provide to ensure your experience is meaningful, safe, and well-supported.
Outreach Overseas Offer
- Pre-departure support
- Volunteer information pack
- Assistance with trip logistics
- Emergency assistance
- Program quality assurance
- Certificate of participation
What's Included
- Airport Pick-Up
- Shared accommodation
- Three meals per day
- On-site orientation and training
- Daily program support
- Equipment (where possible)
What's Excluded
- Flights
- Travel & health insurance
- Visa fees
- Background check (if required)
- Personal spending money
- Excursions
All program fees exclude a one-time $199 confirmation fee, which is payable upon acceptance into the program. Your remaining balance (program fees and any optional add-ons) is only due 60 days before your start date. This can be paid in instalments or as a lump sum.
| Duration | 2025 | 2026 |
| 2 Weeks | $655 | $685 |
| 3 Weeks | $915 | $960 |
| 4 Weeks | $1,175 | $1,235 |
| 5 Weeks | $1,435 | $1,510 |
| 6 Weeks | $1,695 | $1,785 |
| 7 Weeks | $1,995 | $2,060 |
| 8 Weeks | $2,215 | $2,335 |
| 9 Weeks | $2,475 | $2,620 |
| 10 Weeks | $2,735 | $2,885 |
| 11 Weeks | $2,995 | $3,160 |
| 12 Weeks | $3,225 | $3,435 |
Ready to Make a Real Impact?
Put your passion for healthcare into practice and support communities where medical access is limited. Whether you’re assisting in a clinic or leading a hygiene workshop, every effort counts.
Choose your next step:
Apply Now to start your application and secure your spot in the program.
Enquire Here to get all the details you need from our team before you commit.
Good to Know Before You Go
What date should I arrive, and how do I get to the program location?
We recommend arriving in Nosy Be, Madagascar, on the Saturday or Sunday before your program start date (which is always a Monday). Once you land, our friendly local team will be waiting to greet you and assist with the short boat transfer to Nosy Komba, where the project base is located. Full arrival instructions will be sent in your pre-departure pack.
Please book your international flight to Fascene Airport (NOS) in Nosy Be. This is the closest airport to our program base and is well-connected along various flight routes. Most volunteers connect via Airlink from Johannesburg, Air Madagascar from Antananarivo, or Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa.
We suggest booking your return flight for the Sunday after your final program week. The local will help coordinate the boat transfer back to Nosy Be in time for your flight, and can advise on reliable transport back to the airport. If you’d like to pre-plan your departing transport, you are welcome to select this add-on when submitting your application. If you’d prefer to explore Madagascar further before leaving, we’re happy to help you plan onward travel too!
What is the accommodation like and who will I be staying with?
You’ll stay in a rustic beachfront volunteer camp nestled against the hillside forest on Nosy Komba. Rooms are shared, gender-separated, and dorm-style with bunk beds. Facilities are basic but comfortable, including cold-water showers, flush toilets, and solar-powered lighting.
There’s no Wi-Fi at camp, but local SIM cards and data can be purchased in town and used for internet access.
Three meals a day are prepared by the local kitchen team, offering a mix of Malagasy and Western-style food.
You’ll share camp life with a diverse group of like-minded volunteers from around the world. Most volunteers are aged between 18 and 30, but we welcome volunteers of all ages (18+). We’ve had university students, career-breakers, solo travellers, and even couples join us. People join from all over the world, all with a common desire to make a difference and explore Madagascar in a meaningful way.
What does a typical volunteer week look like?
Volunteer weeks run Monday to Friday, with activities shaped by local healthcare priorities and community needs. You might spend your mornings assisting with basic clinic support, wound care, or health screenings, and your afternoons helping run health education workshops on topics like hygiene, nutrition, and disease prevention.
Some days may involve travelling to nearby villages to support mobile medical outreach, shadow local healthcare providers, or deliver first aid training in schools or community centres.
Evenings are free to relax, join optional Malagasy language lessons, or prepare for the next day.
Weekends offer the chance to explore beaches, markets, forest hikes, and surrounding islands.
Are there any requirements to join this program?
This program is open to volunteers aged 18 and over with a background in healthcare or a strong interest in medical outreach. Whether you’re studying medicine, pursuing nursing, or have first aid experience, you can make a difference.
Volunteers should be open-minded, adaptable, and comfortable working in environments with limited medical infrastructure. Respect for patient confidentiality and cultural sensitivity is essential.
Is it safe to volunteer and travel in [country name]?
Madagascar is generally a safe country to visit, especially in the Nosy Be region. We have on-site staff support 24/7 and follow strict protocols to keep volunteers safe. Nosy Komba is a peaceful island with a strong community spirit and low crime rates.
In case of emergencies, there is access to medical care on Nosy Be, just a short boat ride away.
You’ll be thoroughly briefed on safety and cultural awareness when you arrive, and we’re always here to support you throughout your stay.
What vaccinations or health precautions should I take?
While there are no mandatory vaccinations required to enter Madagascar or join the program, certain vaccinations (like Hepatitis A and Typhoid) and malaria prevention are recommended. Please come prepared with mosquito repellent and long clothing for the evenings.
We strongly advise speaking with a travel health clinic or your doctor well in advance of your trip to get personalised advice based on your medical history.
Can I join with a friend, family memeber or partner?
Absolutely! Friends, couples, or even small groups are welcome to apply together. Just let us know in your application, and we’ll do our best to place you in the same room and on the same project.
That said, many volunteers arrive solo and quickly build lasting friendships. The camp is a highly social, supportive environment.
How much does it cost and what's included?
Program fees start from $395 for 1 week on the English Teaching program, plus a one-time $199 confirmation deposit.
Included in your fees:
- Shared accommodation
- Three meals per day
- Airport pickup
- Full project training and supervision
- 24/7 in-country support
- Outreach Overseas pre-departure guidance
You’ll also receive a volunteer handbook and packing guide to help you prepare.
Will I have time to travel or explore during my stay?
Yes, and we highly recommend it! Madagascar is an incredible country to explore. From lemur-filled forests to white sand beaches, there’s so much to see. Go snorkelling in coral reefs, hike up volcanic peaks, visit lemur reserves, or take boat trips to paradise islands like Nosy Iranja. Our local team can offer tips and connect you with trusted tour guides if you’d like to explore over the weekends or travel further pre- or post-program.
When is the best time of year to join this program?
Madagascar’s northwest coast is warm year-round, but the dry season (April to November) offers the best weather and calmest seas, which is ideal for diving, snorkelling, and outdoor work.
If you’re keen on marine life, whale shark season (September–December) and turtle hatching season (December–March) are incredible times to visit.
No matter when you come, you’ll experience Madagascar’s breathtaking biodiversity and vibrant culture.
How to Apply
Step 1: Choose Your Program
Explore our programs and find the one that fits your passion and goals.
Step 2: Submit an Application
Complete our quick and easy online application form to start the process.
Step 3: Confirm Your Spot
Pay your $199 confirmation deposit upon your acceptance.
Step 4: Make an Impact
Travel to your destination, join your team, and begin your volunteer journey.
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