Medical Electives In Philippines
Join our Medical Electives in the Philippines and immerse yourself in a meaningful, career-enhancing experience while supporting rural healthcare initiatives. Based in Tacloban, Leyte, this program gives medical and nursing students the opportunity to observe and assist in local clinics, shadow doctors, and learn about community health delivery in a developing country setting.
The Philippines is an archipelago known for its natural beauty — turquoise beaches, lush islands, and warm, welcoming communities. Yet, many rural areas face limited access to basic healthcare. Through this program, you’ll not only gain valuable clinical exposure but also contribute directly to improving local health outcomes and promoting sustainable medical practices.
By joining our Medical Electives Program in the Philippines, you’ll play an important role in supporting understaffed and underfunded rural health clinics in the communities surrounding Tacloban City, on the island of Leyte. These clinics — known as Rural Health Units (RHUs) — are the backbone of healthcare for thousands of residents who rely on them for free, essential medical services.
Each RHU clinic is typically staffed by just one doctor and a small team of nurses responsible for serving an entire town. With limited equipment and resources, they face daily challenges in meeting the growing needs of their communities. As a volunteer medical student or healthcare professional, your support helps relieve this burden while giving you the chance to observe and contribute to real-world healthcare delivery in a developing nation.
This program is ideal for medical, nursing, and pre-med students, as well as qualified healthcare professionals seeking an authentic global health experience. Whether you’re looking to enhance your medical training or share your professional expertise, this project offers a deeply rewarding opportunity to serve those in need.
Gain Hands-On Experience in Rural Healthcare
What You’ll Do – Clinic Placements & Duties
Your medical elective will take place at Rural Health Unit (RHU) clinics located in and around Tacloban, which serve as the first point of contact for medical care in remote communities. These clinics handle everything from preventive medicine to minor emergencies and maternal-child health.
As a medical intern or elective student, you’ll:
Assist local doctors and nurses during patient consultations and outpatient services
Help record vital signs, height, and weight, and assist in basic medical examinations
Observe and support treatments, wound dressings, and minor procedures
Participate in hypertension and diabetes clinics, helping with data collection and patient education
Join maternal and child health programs, such as prenatal checkups and vaccination drives
Take part in public health outreach—nutrition programs, dengue fever awareness, and sanitation workshops
Shadow medical staff during community home visits and mobile clinics
While your role is primarily observational, you’ll have opportunities to assist under supervision, depending on your training, skills, and the comfort level of the medical staff.
This is a hands-on, immersive experience that provides deep insight into healthcare delivery in resource-limited environments — ideal for medical, nursing, or public health students seeking meaningful clinical exposure abroad.
🕒 Typical Daily Schedule
A typical day during your Medical Elective in the Philippines may look like this:
7:00 AM – 7:30 AM: Breakfast at your accommodation
8:00 AM – 12:30 PM: Attend your placement at the clinic – observe consultations and support patient checkups
12:30 PM – 2:00 PM: Lunch break and rest
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Continue with clinic duties or join a public health or community outreach activity
Evening: Return to your accommodation; relax, share experiences with fellow interns, or explore Tacloban’s lively food scene
Work hours may vary depending on clinic workload and your assigned department.
Some details
Medical Electives in Philippines Program Start Dates
Start Dates are suggested below.
Days
2025
- Jan 4,11, 18, 25
- Feb 1, 8, 15, 22
- Mar 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
- Apr 5, 12, 19, 26
- May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
- Jun 7, 14, 21, 28
- Jul 5, 12, 19, 26
- Aug 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
- Sep 6, 13, 20, 27
- Oct 4, 11, 18, 25
- Nov 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
- Dec 6, 13, 20
Days
2026
- Jan 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
- Feb 7, 14, 21, 28
- Mar 7, 14, 21, 28
- Apr 4, 11, 18, 25
- May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
- Jun 6, 13, 20, 27
- Jul 4, 11, 18, 25
- Aug 1, 19
- Sep 5, 12, 19, 26
- Oct 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
- Nov 7, 14, 21, 28
- Dec 5, 12, 19, 26
Days
2027
- Jan 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
- Feb 6, 13, 20, 27
- Mar 6, 13, 20, 27
- Apr 3, 10, 17, 24
- May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
- Jun 5, 12, 19, 26
- Jul 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
- Aug 21, 28
- Sep 4, 11, 18, 25
- Oct 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
- Nov 6, 13, 20, 27
- Dec 4
Medical Electives in Philippines Program Cost
- 1 Week
- 2 Weeks
- 3 Weeks
- 4 Weeks
- 5 Weeks
- 6 Weeks
- 7 Weeks
- 8 Weeks
- 9 Weeks
- n/a
- $1,395
- $1,495
- $1,695
- $1,895
- $1,995
- $2,195
- $2,395
- $2,595
Medical Electives in Philippines Program Program Fee Inclusions
- What’s Included
- Not Included
- Orientation on arrival
- Clinic placement
- Full Day Location Tour
- Assigned medical staff
- Local team support 24/7
- Accommodation in homestays
- Airport Transfers
- Meals at the homestay
- Not Included
- Flights to the program destination
- Medical and travel insurance
- Visa costs
- Personal shopping and gratuities
- Local or weekend excursions
- Lunch
- Travel cost to the clinic
4. Location
This program is based in Talcoban City, Philippines
The programs are based in Tacloban City on the island of Leyte in Eastern Visayas. Tacloban is approximately 360 miles south-west of Manila and is well-known as the site of U.S. General Douglas MacArthur’s Leyte Gulf Landing, which marked the start of a fierce campaign to regain the Philippines from Japan during World War II.
Tacloban is also the site of the prestigious San Juanico Bridge, which is the longest bridge in the Philippines. This bridge connects the islands of Leyte and Samar, and is a key link in the Pan-Philippines Highway, which connects the Philippines islands of Luzon, Samar, Leyte, and Mindanao through a network of roadways, bridges and ferries.
Tacloban is the capital of the Province of Leyte and has a population of about 242,089 people. The city offers international volunteers an opportunity to be immersed in a unique Asian culture, which is at least partially left untouched by Western Culture, especially in the rural areas. In November 2013, Tacloban was one of the most devastated areas of the Philippines when Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) ravaged through the Philippines; therefore, the city and surrounding areas now present an even greater range of opportunities for international volunteers.
5.Nearest Airport
Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport TAC, also known as Tacloban City Airport, is an airport serving the general area of Tacloban
- Most nationalities will need a visa to enter Philippines however there are some exemptions so please check.
- Travel Insurance is compulsory on this program.
- We recommend you to book flexible flights and come with travel insurance
5.Hospitality
All volunteers will be staying in friendly and accommodating local homestays who have been accepting volunteers for over a decade. Life inside a homestay is not only safe and cost effective, but is also a great way to contribute to the local economy and to experience the true nature and culture of the Philippines. All of our homestays are English speaking and provide volunteers with a single room (or a shared room with another volunteer of the same sex), two daily meals (breakfast and dinner), 24 hour access to clean-drinking water, and a mosquito net. An electric fan will be provided to volunteers once electricity is restored to homestays. Until then, volunteers should prepare for humid conditions. Conditions inside homestays will be far more basic than the conditions you experience at home. There is no WIFI in the accommodation. In almost all cases, volunteers will bathe using a traditional bucket and bale techniques. All homestays are located just two minute walking distance from the local teams office; putting volunteers and staff together in close proximity every day.
What your first week looks like
Arrival day
Weekdays
Weekend
Weekend activities
Island Hopping
Weekend activities
Try Local Cuisines
Weekend activities
Jeepney Rides
Weekend activities
Tulaan Falls
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