Medical Mission Trips to Tanzania
Thank you for your interest in IMR’s medical mission trips to Tanzania! This is a very unique opportunity to work with populations that have little to no access to healthcare and make a huge impact on their lives.
The Need
During this trip, you will experience Tanzanian culture while caring for the people in varying settings and those with little access to medical attention. Since 2001, health care has no longer been offered to Tanzanians as a free service. Many citizens find the new national health insurance plan that is offered by the government to be unaffordable.
This opportunity will allow volunteers to see every facet of life that Tanzania has to offer, from orphanages to villages to game parks. Tanzania has the seventh-lowest physician-to-patient ratio in the world, approximately .31 doctors for every 10,000 residents. Some common causes of death in Tanzania include neonatal disorders, lower respiratory infections, and HIV/AIDS.
The clinics for this trip will be set up in five different small villages that border Arusha. Our primary goal of this trip is to care for locals with treatable, and often preventable, conditions. As such, much of the relief you provide at clinic will be for people who would have benefited from access to preventable care. At clinic, you will treat conditions related to STDs, malaria, sepsis, and diarrheal diseases. You will also help treat more conditions including HIV, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. One of the main focuses of this mission is dentistry. Because all community members are encouraged to attend, the demand for dental care will be high. Another main focus of this mission is women’s healthcare, so we will offer special clinic care for women and their infants.
Our Work
In 2015, International Medical Relief started working in Tanzania with humanitarian partners who shared a common vision of providing healthcare to underserved communities. IMR was privileged enough to work with Masaai people and learn more about their tribal traditions and lifestyle. Since 2015, IMR has held seven clinic missions in order to achieve IMR’s goal of providing sustainable health care solutions to aid the tribes and other Tanzanian communities. These seven clinic missions were equipped with a total of 223 volunteers and staff that served over 5,800 patients.
With diligent planning and preparation, IMR is dedicated to ensuring that specific goals are met on our missions, each in correlation to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 17.
IMR works to elevate vulnerable populations through shoulder-to-shoulder care with our local partners, creating workforce density, and a cadre of future healthcare and public health leaders in association to UNSDG 3: Good Health & Wellbeing.
In correlation with UNSDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, our organization works in collaboration and at the request of local hosts where we are under their direct influence and affluence. IMR never goes into a country without a formal invitation where there is a great community need for medical or dental care, and health education.
The Mission
Tanzania is one of the worlds most sought after places to visit. Fulfill your bucket list dream by providing medical care to some of the 120 ethnic groups surviving in this culture-rich indigenous country. You will have a first hand opportunity to help those without health care in an amazing East African country. The giggles and laughter of the children will fill you with delight upon your arrival as you care for patients without access to medical attention. Venture into their hearts and experience the rich Tanzanian culture while caring for the people in varying settings. This opportunity will allow volunteers to see every facet of life that Tanzania has to offer, from orphanages to villages to game parks. Tanzania, a land of spectacular beauty, is one of the largest countries of Africa. Here, Zanzibar Isles, The Serengeti, the Great Rift Valley, and Mount Kilimanjaro are just a few reasons why Tanzania claims 25 percent of their land to wildlife protected areas. Tanzania is home to the largest game reserve in Africa, the Selous Game Reserve.
Clinics will take place in the small villages surrounding Arusha, at the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro. You can expect a
crowd of patients each day, all needing care they can not obtain elsewhere. Lower respiratory infections, diarrheal diseases, malaria, STDs, and sepsis are all part of the top 10 causes of death in Tanzania. Patients with chronic illnesses such as HIV, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes will receive education from you and your team to help prevent or stop the worsening of these destructive illnesses. The area is home to many Maasai people. Arusha, with 1.5 million people in the city itself, has extremely high unemployment and many
overcrowded slums. Arusha consists mostly of slum dwellings, wooden or earthen shacks with neither running water nor electricity. The area around Esso Road is among the fastest-growing slums in east Africa. Your care for these people will make a true difference in their lives.
Lodging & Transportation
Your hotel will be comfortable, clean, and safe. You will be in one of the most beautiful areas in all of Tanzania, surrounded by protected game parks, volcanic craters, and the highest mountain in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro. Each day you will travel out to small villages to provide health care. Each evening will be filled with wonderful local food and a beautiful place to call “home”!
What a wonderful experience here in Tanzania during clinic week. Long days and hard work. So proud of the boys sticking with it and helping out where they could. They got to see kids with The community was so welcoming and gracious. All together I believe over 680 patients seen. Maasai tribe came to give us a farewell dance. The experience continues with our group tomorrow for an adventure.
Trip Highlights
Included in your trip will be a traditional Tanzanian Safari. After an arduous clinic schedule, the team will see some of the world’s most amazing animals “up-close” on your exclusive one-day safari at Arusha National Park. On your safari you will witness the harmony of numerous species of wildlife rarely found in any large quantity anywhere but Tanzania.
Food & Water
All food is typically provided during your stay. Please refer to your unique itinerary on our website to review which meals are provided each day. We may hire local people to cook for the team during our visit, or we may eat at restaurants or hotels. Lunch in clinic may include sandwiches made by the team or a feast prepared in your honor by community leaders. We recommend bringing snacks to eat during the day or evening or to supplement your lunch. High protein/high fat/high energy snacks are best. IMR also provides all of the drinking water for the team. Hydration and nutrition are extremely important for the health of the team. You are the best judge of your own health so please pack appropriate snacks and stay well hydrated on the trip.
Extend Your Stay!
You’re journeying halfway across the globe, have you considered extending your stay to visit some of Tanzania’s top spots? Join International Medical Relief on an exclusive trip extension provided by our partner, Worldwide Navigators! Visit Ngorongoro Crater, home to over 120 species of animals Safari through two National Parks to spot Africa’s “Big Five” Cultural tour of the vibrant Mto Wa Mbu Market
Itinerary
Itinerary is subject to change without notice.
Full Mission (7-8 Days)
Crisis Management & Emergency Response
We take security very seriously at IMR. It is our job to ensure that security precautions are in place, but please keep in mind that we cannot guarantee your safety on the trip.
- We continuously review all current activities occurring on the ground, and we work with the State Department and the U.S. Embassy to know the ground situation to the best of our ability.
- A security training conference call is available to our volunteers where we detail our security procedures that are in place for the trip.
- We take many security precautions such as radios, a buddy system, emergency evacuation plan and security planning.
- We protect the privacy of our volunteers in the field and provide them with customized contact information for their use.
- During our mandatory briefing, team members review our safety protocols, evacuation procedures, protocols for illness, natural disaster and terrorism.
- We provide training to our teams to be cognizant of their own safety and to be aware of their surroundings.
- Several policies require teams to adhere to safety issues.
Trip Preparation
A service that we are very proud of at IMR is the preparation that each team and team member receives prior to the trip. All team members will receive a detailed briefing packet about the country you are serving.
In addition to receiving background information about the country and the public health issues affecting local communities, you will also receive detailed information on fundraising, community health education topics,
clinic protocols, and a comprehensive departure packet. All of these materials are critical to the preparation for your trip. Finally, a guide to the infectious diseases of the country is distributed to medical providers prior to departure.
Minimum Donation
Your generous donation helps to save and change lives everyday.
Your charitable investment will go toward ongoing global relief to care for the underserved and vulnerable people of this community. As a member of this medical mission team, you will elevate the long-term impact of sustainable, capacity-building efforts that improve the health, wellness, and quality of life of those most in need. A small portion of your donation includes:
- Clinic supplies and medications for patients
- Clinic participation
- Transportation, accommodations, and meals as outlined in the itinerary
Payment Deadlines
To save $200, a 50% donation payment must be received 14 weeks before the mission’s scheduled start date. Full donation payments must be received 4 weeks before the mission’s scheduled start date.
Early Bird Savings Opportunity
To be eligible, upload all your required documents and forms, and make a minimum of 50% of your donation payment by 14 weeks prior to your mission’s scheduled start date.
Flexible Flight Options
Volunteer with Airfare
You may choose to book a flight with us for an additional fee. Details on the available flight routing and US departure city will be announced on the Early Bird Date. Airport transportation to and from the team’s accommodations are also included with this option. Depending on your departure city, you may still need to purchase another flight in addition to this one. After this flight has been booked, you may contact our travel agent, Worldwide Navigators, for assistance booking any necessary additional flights.
Benefits of Flying at a Subsidized Rate
- Travel with other members of your team on select routing
- Fly on a subsidized ticket at a lower rate
- Transport to and from the airport included
Volunteer without Airfare
Many team members choose to book their flight(s) to and from the mission location independent of IMR. This is a great option if would like to extend your stay in the area to tour and explore, or if the routing from you home airport is more feasible for you. If you choose to fly independently, please note that your transportation in between the airport and the team’s accommodations will not be provided. This will need to be arranged separately. Our partner for travel, Worldwide Navigators, would be happy to assist you in coordinating flights and/or transportation. You can contact them at travel@worldwidenavigators.com.
Benefits of Flying Independently
- Extend your stay and customize your dates of travel
- Choose your departure location
- Customize your class of service
Featured Enhancements
**To purchase any of the above Featured Enhancements for your mission please contact our office at office@imrus.org or call at (970) 635-0110.
Fundraising
IMR provides a fundraising packet to all registered trip applicants that is full of ideas on how you can raise support for your trip or for supplies to be utilized on this specific mission. When soliciting donations for any of our trips, success is completed through telling your personal story. Why do you want to go? Who will you help? Why their donation can help you achieve the ultimate goal. Tell your story to anyone and everyone. Refer your potential or active donors to our website or Facebook page and to your personal fundraising page. You may share your personal fundraising URL on Facebook and other social media sites.
Join Us in Making a Difference.
Bring much-needed acute medical and dental care to a beautiful, culture-rich destination. You can join an IMR medical mission team today!
