MedForce: Medics Overseas

Location

One of the world’s most unpopulated countries, Belize is a thrilling location for an expedition. With its dense jungles, tropical beaches, wealth of wildlife, and ruins of ancient civilizations, the Central American country presents unlimited opportunities for explorers. The population of Belize is an interesting blend of various cultural and ethnic groups, and Belizean have a reputation of being very friendly and welcoming.

Project Information

After an intense week-long jungle training, you will join a Trekforce expedition through the jungles of Belize. The expedition explores lush forests and fascinating Mayan ruins that were lost for centuries amongst the tangled vegetation. Tasked by the Belizean Government, we actively seek out lost Mayan caves, temples, and artefacts, working to ensure they are correctly mapped and catalogued. In addition, we typically undertake a community based project to protect the local area, like the recent construction of a watch tower for Park Wardens or the proposed research station for scientist. We are typically one of the first people to enter these regions, and there are many opportunistic wildlife sightings as we head deep into the jungle.

As an elective student or medical volunteer you will assist the expedition medic in looking after the conservation volunteers. This typically involves dealing with cuts and scrapes, bites and infections sustained on the project. You'll also help maintain the good health and hygiene of the camp - very important when living in jungle conditions!  As a professional medic on an expedition, you will provide medical assistance to all expedition participants, and supervise any medical students on the project.

You may be involved in the following:
• Treating cuts and wounds sustained during the jungle treks
• Treating insect bites
• Treating illnesses or viruses
• Providing assistance in case of medical evacuations

Accommodation
During the expedition, you will usually sleep in a hammock, under the stars. You will have to take your own hammock with you.

Meals
All food is provided during your stay, and you will take turns cooking during the expedition.

Getting there
You will fly into Belize International Airport, where you will be picked up by our expedition leaders.

Support
Throughout your stay, you will be assisted by our expedition leaders. As a medical elective student, you will be assisted by a professional medic.

Highlights

- Learn about expedition medicine and tropical health issues
- Gain valuable hands-on medical experience
- Explore the lush jungles of Belize
- Assist in the mapping and cataloguing of ancient Mayan temples and   artefacts
- Assist local villages through community uplifting projects

Requirements

This project is suitable for the following categories:

	Category 2: Medical students on electives
	Category 3: Fully qualified doctors or nurses

To qualify for the professional placement, you will have to go through a selection procedure. Please send and email to info@medforce.info and ask for an application form.

Price

• If you are selected as a professional medic on this programme, there will be no charge. However, you will have to pay for your own flights and insurance.
• For medical elective students, the prices are as follows:

£1,900 4 weeks
£2,400 6 weeks
£2,800 8 weeks

£3,200 3 months

£3,700 4 months

£4,100 5 months

Included

Included in the price are:
• Three meals a day
• Airport transfers
• A week-long jungle training
• Constant guidance and assistance by a expedition leaders
• A briefing day before departure (includes a barbeque)
• Your personal web page which provides you with all necessary pre-departure information
• A Trekforce t-shirt

Not Included

Not included in the price are:
• Flights
• Insurance
• Hammock
• Spending money

Maps

You fly to the international airport at Belize City. Placements are inland from Belize City, where the M of Belmopan is on our map!