Getting Started

Medical Santo is required to obtain a Special Category Visa and Medical/Nursing Registration in Vanuatu on your behalf, and this can take a few months. To begin the process, you will need to complete the volunteer application process (follow the link below). This will include your CV, 2 references, your qualifications and Authority to Practice (AHPRA).

As a volunteer you are there to support the Medical Santo programs designed to deliver health services across the Northern Province. These programs are delivered through the general practice clinic located in Luganville, supporting the Northern Provincial Hospital also located in Luganville, and rural outreach clinics both on Espiritu Santo and other islands of the northern region. As a volunteer, you are also able to bring your family to be a part of your incredible experience.

What you will need to provide

Volunteers supporting Medical Santo will be contributing skills, time and money to support the Medical Santo program. Unlike government funded international aid programs, Medical Santo is not in a position to fully cover all expenses associated with volunteering. Volunteers will need to pay for the following:

• $500 AU registration fee
• Roundtrip airfares – we strongly recommend you book and fly internationally through Air Vanuatu
• General living expenses during the assignment like food, mobile, recreational activities
• Costs associated with immunization and insurances.

What Medical Santo provides

Medical Santo has a Recruitment and Retention Officer assisting volunteers to navigate the application process (including Special Category Visas and Medical/Nursing registration) and is available for consultation and advice from enquiry through to pre-departure. The Service Manager is based in Luganville and works from the GP clinic and is available on the ground to supervise, support and guide volunteers on assignment. The volunteer program also covers:

• Volunteer Accommodation
• Airport Transfers in Vanuatu
• In-country cultural awareness orientation
• Volunteer Shirts

Volunteer Accommodations

Above the clinic there are six bedrooms each with the capacity to sleep two people. At present, beds are either singles or doubles. There are two bathrooms, a lounge area, the kitchen, a small dining room inside and a large outdoor, under cover, deck with a barbeque and table and chairs enough for all. The front veranda runs almost the length of the building and is a great place to sit and enjoy the vista towards the port. All linen is provided however volunteers are responsible for their own food supplies and cooking; there are two fridges in the kitchen in the accommodation at the clinic, as well as a pantry. All the crockery, cutlery and cooking implements are also provided. Medical Santo employs staff who look after both the clinic and the accommodation above and takes care of laundering all the linen from both the accommodation quarters and that used in the clinic. For personal washing, there is a laundry located on the ground floor behind the clinic. We also have a couple of houses available for family groups so please let me know your circumstances.