Sri Lanka Medical Placement

This programme will provide you with real world insight into the field of medicine, and how Sri Lanka's healthcare system operates, while still being largely observation-based. From rotational exposure to a variety of different wards and special units, to engaging with members of the public at community events, there is so much experience to be gained from this internship. Supporting you every step of the way is our friendly and experienced local team, who are there to provide you with training, assistance and reassurance across all responsibilities - regardless if it is project-related or operational.

Let's look beyond everything Sri Lanka has to offer as a travel destination for a moment - yes, including its paradise beaches, tropical wildlife, surfing, sea turtles, temples and incredible food!

Sri Lanka is the only country in South Asia able to offer free healthcare to all of its citizens. Despite resources sometimes being limited, Sri Lanka's public health sector has achieved extraordinary success, such as a steady increase of life expectancy.

Undertaking a medical internship in Sri Lanka will provide with transferrable skills for life. You'll immerse yourself in another culture and gain a deeper understanding of traditional holistic practices like Ayurvedic Medicine, while being in the safe hands of our experienced local team.

We want to emphasise that this medical internship utilises a largely observational-based learning style. As you will be interning inside a real, working healthcare environment, it is essential that medical professionals are able to deliver the best possible duty of care to their patients. This is also done to minimise the level of individual responsibility for interns, while still providing them with invaluable insight and gained experience for their professional development.

There may be a few opportunities for some hands-on work, subject to availability and dependent on a variety of factors. However, interns should approach this programme expecting their tasks to be observational and assistance based.

On this programme, you will be working four to five hours each day, from Mondays to Fridays. The following locations are available to our medical interns:

• National Hospital Galle: Sri Lanka's third largest hospital with a capacity of 2000 beds. It has 54 wards, several other specialised units and a national status.
• Government Ayurveda Institute: hospital specialising in the traditional, holistic practice of Ayurveda Medicine.
• Community projects: various local schools and community organisations, with the option to spend some time working with children and the elderly.

All of the above institutions are located within 20-40 minutes from the volunteer house where you will be staying.

Across all electives, interns will receive regular guidance and support by our medical project coordinator to further enhance their learning experience.

As a real world project, medical interns should keep in mind that the exact day-to-day on this programme cannot be predicted, and can be subject to change. Generally, interns need to be assigned a minimum of one week in the following hospital units/wards. 

Below is a taster of the variety of units, wards and institutions you will receive broad-based rotational exposure in, and the tasks involved:

• Emergency Trauma Care (ETC) / Surgical Casualty Ward: bedside teaching regarding management of patients, ward class with ward rounds, observing how local staff check for vital signs and perform wound dressing.
• General Medical Wards: bedside teaching regarding the management of patients, ward rounds with the consultant and the medical staff and attending lectures with the local medical students
• General Surgical Wards: joining the ward rounds with the consultant and medical staff, observing how local staff monitor vital signs and perform wound dressings of patients, observing pre operative and post operative care of the patients who go through surgeries such as Cholecystectomy, Appendectomy, Hernia repair and Thyroidectomy.
• General Paediatric Ward: studying the history of the patients with the support of medical / nursing staff, joining the ward rounds and performing activities to socialise with children (with parental consent)
• Paediatric Cardiology Unit: attending paediatric cardiac catheter lab on diagnosing heart defects and its severity, observing live paediatric cardiac surgeries, attending clinical sessions with the consultants.
• Oncology Surgical Ward: studying the history of the patients with the support of medical / nursing staff, joining the ward rounds, endoscopy, observing live surgeries in the oncology operation theatre under the direct guidance of the surgeon. Electives will be given explanation by the surgeon based on the type of the surgery and the ground emergency situation.
• Neurosurgical Unit*: studying the history of the patients with the support of medical / nursing staff, joining the ward rounds, observing live neurosurgeries with the consultant / surgeon.
• Nephrology Unit*: studying the history of the patients with the support of medical / nursing staff, joining the ward rounds, observing patients with various kidney malfunctions and diseases with the consultant / surgeon.
• Psychiatry Ward*: assist local team that specialises in the treatment of mental disorders.
• Rheumatology Department*: assist in the treatment and care to patients with diseases of the musculoskeletal system - bone, joint and connective tissue disease.
• Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation Unit: supporting patients to carry out their daily physiotherapy and occupational therapy exercises, carrying out group activities to support the patient's mental well-being and other similar activities. Students will get to work closely with a physiotherapist and occupational therapist on a regular basis.
• Observation of Special Studies: please note that this is only available to medical interns who have prior clinical / hospital experience. Access to observe surgeries is on a rotational basis (subject to availability). Surgeries can include vascular surgeries, plastic surgeries, urology related surgeries, neuro surgeries, casualty, oncology surgeries, etc.

*These departments are only available for advanced medical students (3rd year or above in their medical studies).

You will also have the opportunity to learn more about Ayurvedic Medicine with a special introductory session. This is one of the world's oldest medical systems with a natural and holistic approach to physical and mental health. It remains one of Sri Lanka's most popular and respected traditional healthcare systems.

Alongside other responsibilities, medical interns will get involved with community based activities. This can be working at local schools, villages and community groups.

• Disability Care: medical interns are encouraged to engage with differently-abled people that need extra affection and care. They are able to help them with motor and cognitive skill activities.
• Children: educate and train local children on first aid and basic hygiene practices in schools, kindergartens and community groups under the guidance of coordinators.
• Elderly Care: support elderly people at elderly homes while improving their gross motor skills and cognitive skills, engaging in activities such as crafting and mobility exercises.
• General Public: attend medical campaigns and health awareness programmes under the guidance of medical professionals where they can assist with health checkups and educate people on different health conditions and issues.

Additionally, medical interns can also choose to do Community Weeks as part of this programme. This provides a more hands-on experience engaging with various members of the public (see above) through community related activities. This also includes a special one day session on Ayurvedic Medicine. 

Please note that community week allocation is subject to availability.

A detailed orientation and training programme will be provided on arrival. This includes health and safety training, culture training and an area orientation tour around Galle.

Our medical project coordinator will also provide project-specific training. You will receive an overview of the Sri Lankan medical industry, common practices, customs, code of conduct and rules.

Your coordinator is there to monitor your day-to-day development on this programme, ensuring you feel fully confident and supported with regular reviews and project task sheet assignments that are tailored to your experience level.

Daily transportation to and from the project is provided as part of your set hours on Mondays to Fridays.

If you are not currently enrolled in a medical or nursing degree from a recognised university, but have some prior experience or knowledge in the healthcare sector, then you may be eligible for our pre-medical programme instead.

The volunteer house offers a variety of optional activities for you to enjoy, including weekly yoga classes, movie nights, and monthly guided bike tours and BBQs.

Your weekends are completely free for you to chill out on the beaches, explore the local area or plan mini trips around Sri Lanka! Our volunteer house is located in the Unawatuna district of Galle, a stunning coastal town filled with historic architecture and a lighthouse walk, as well as lots of shops, cafes and restaurants. There's amazing access to Sri Lanka's golden sandy stretches dotted along the South Coast, including the iconic Mirissa and Jungle Beaches!

If you're keen to travel, some of the most popular activities that people do are hiking, bicycle and whale watching trips!