MEDICAL SANTO CLINIC SUPPORT
In 2023, we began to explore how we could support the remote island health care initiatives in Vanuatu. One organization that has the same mission and passion as Sea Mercy was the Medical Santo Clinic on Espritu Santo. After many wonderful discussions, we decided to work together to help them meet the needs of the northern island communities of Vanuatu.
If you would like to learn more about this new Sea Mercy partner and the volunteer opportunities with them, follow the below link.
Free Medical Services
Free Dental Services
Free Eye Care Services
FLOATING HEALTH CARE CLINICS
Sea Mercy's fleet of Floating Health Care Clinics carry our volunteer medical, dental and eye care professionals to hundreds of 'at risk' remote islands in the South Pacific.
Our volunteers join us for 2-week rotations where they provide free health care services to 5-9 remote island communities during their rotation.
Making a Difference Since 2012
Current and Past FHCC Island Nation Partners:
- Vanuatu, Fiji, Tonga and the Solomon Islands
Remote Islands:
- 400+ inhabited remote islands (100+ in Fiji, 70+ in Vanuatu, and 200+ in the Solomons)
Vessels:
- Six sailing catamarans
Volunteers:
- 350+ (doctors, dentists, nurses, PA's, residents, pharmacists, dental hygienists, etc.)
Medical Care Program:
- Over 30,000 patients screened, evaluated and treated by our health care teams
Eye Care Program:
- Reading Glasses: 12,500 (tested and distributed)
- Eyejuster (Near-sighted) Glasses: 1000+ (tested and distributed)
- 100+ diagnosed for future surgery teams
Dental Care Program:
- Dental Patients: 1,800 treated (2,700+ extractions)
Diabetes Care Program:
- 6,500+ screened, tested and treated
- 320+ HbA1c testing's
Available Volunteer Assignments
We'll have a series of incredible 2-week rotation opportunities available for our Sea Mercy volunteers each year. Depending upon our vessel size and capabilities (4-10 volunteers), our rotations will consist of all or combination of the health care service volunteers (and spouses):
- Medical Care Services (doctors, physician assistants, nurses, pharmacists)
- Dental Care Services (dentists, dental assistants, hygienists, technicians)
- Ophthalmology Care Services (ophthalmologists, vision assistants)
Schedule
Depending upon vessel availability for each island nation partner, our 2-week rotations begin in May and end in October within the cyclone belt of the South Pacific, with additional rotations the remainder of the year outside it. Each rotation will have from 4-10 volunteers and a staff member from the local Ministry of Health. When space is available, we encourage volunteers to bring a spouse/family member* to join them on their rotation as a support crew.
* For spouses or family members joining the rotation, please understand that this is not a "chartered vacation" and you will be expected to participate in the support and crew activities of the FHCC. If you (and your spouse/family member) are interested in serving on any of the rotations, be sure to include them when completing the online assignment request form.
Typical 2 Week Rotation Schedule:
Day of Week, Goals/Activities:
Day 1, (Sunday) All volunteers will board the FHCC vessel(s).
Days 2-6, (Monday - Friday) Visit remote islands for patient evaluation, care, training and interaction. There will also be time to relax and enjoy the islands you are visiting.
Days 7-8, (Saturday - Sunday) Days of rest and relaxation for volunteers. This may include time on shore interacting with the locals if you would like.
Days 9-13, (Monday - Friday) Continued patient evaluation and care while enjoying the tropical paradise of additional remote islands. Depending on the weather and distance, the FHCC vessels may depart the last island on either Thursday or Friday.
Day 14, (Saturday) Morning disembarkation of all volunteers. End of Rotation.
Volunteer Staff Selection Priority
Our goal is to operate each FHCC in a break-even structure that requires our volunteers to cover their own costs. We have double and single bed options available. This means spouses & partners can join their health care partner, individuals and even teams of 4 or more. Should a FHCC rotation not be filled, Sea Mercy's first response will be to combine teams or individual volunteers to other rotations. We cannot will not schedule or sail the FHCC vessels unless there are sufficient volunteers aboard to operate a successful 2-week rotation, so invite a co-worker or health care friend to join you.
Cost Per Volunteer for 2 week rotation
During your 2 weeks with us, you will be living and traveling on one of our sailing vessels. Although this will be the most incredible all inclusive "working holiday" you will ever experience, please understand that this is NOT a chartered cruise. A chartered cruise of this nature would cost from $5,000 to $8,500+ US per person for a 2 week period. Instead, our goal is to operate each FHCC vessel 'at cost', allowing us to operate as many additional FHCC's as possible in the South Pacific. Here are the per volunteer cost of operating FHCC vessel for a two week period.
FHCC Rotation Cost Breakdown per Volunteer (2 weeks - US $2,450):
Food: $550
Fuel: $250
Sea Mercy Operations: $250
Maintenance/Crew Charge: $1,400
Total: $2,450
Interested In Joining us in the South Pacific?
To get things started, please complete the online volunteer registration form under the Volunteering menu selection. We will review your information and get back to you at the earliest opportunity to begin your incredible adventure.
