Volunteer Ophthalmologist, South Africa in Newcastle upon Tyne

Are you passionate about using your ophthalmology knowledge and skills to help others? Answer your calling, and take your leave of purpose.

The Tshemba Foundation is appealing to South African ophthalmologists to fill a critical healthcare gap in rural South Africa’s Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces where shortages are posing substantial challenges to adequate eye care.

Tshemba\’s efforts to improve vision initially focused on cataract surgery, however, screenings in the community and clinics have indicated an urgent need for non-surgical interventions and ophthalmological services. To take action against blindness prevention, alongside our partners, we’ve expanded our cataract services to include non-surgical interventions in diagnostics and treatment.

In your role as a volunteer ophthalmologist you will:

• screen and care for diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and keratoconjunctivitis
• perform cataract operations over extended weekends at our cataract camps
• provide postgraduate support to medical staff in training
• engage in skills development and/or formal teaching for local staff about eye pathology

Requirements:

• A current medical license in good standing
• Registration with the Health Professionals Council of South Africa (HPCSA), which we assist international volunteers to obtain.

Tshemba offers its volunteers free, safe and secure accommodation at its Volunteer Lodge, situated in Moditlo Private Game Reserve. The Lodge serves as a welcome off-duty refuge where like-minded healthcare providers relax after an intense day of work. Here they exchange ideas, create healthcare solutions for daily challenges faced and connect with peers from all over the world, all the while taking in the magnificent natural surroundings. It is important to recognize that while you will be making a massive contribution to eye care in an impoverished rural area, you will have down time. We see this as a win‑win with time for you to pause, think and to recharge your batteries.

Health professionals who have volunteered with Tshemba tell us that they have been re‑energized and transformed by the experience, and their passion for medicine reignited.

Please reach out if you have any questions and to discuss volunteering your time.

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