Volunteer Medical Staff
Madagascar Conservation Healthcare Brigades
Volunteer as Medical Staff in Frontline Conservation Areas.
Work alongside Malagasy doctors and nurses delivering care to communities living around Protected Areas in rural Madagascar.
LOCATION
Rural Madagascar
Toliara & Sambava regions
DURATION
12+ Weeks
Minimum 3 months
START DATES
Rolling
Year-round deployments
ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY
Healthcare on the front lines of conservation
Madagascar is the fourth-largest island on Earth and one of the most biologically unique places on the planet. The communities living around its Protected Areas are also among the most underserved—facing extreme poverty, limited infrastructure, and high maternal and child health risks.
The Conservation Healthcare Brigades deliver essential medical care directly to these remote villages. Volunteers embed with active brigades led by Malagasy doctors and nurses, supporting local capacity while building the trust between communities and conservation programs that protects some of the world’s most important ecosystems.
WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR
Medical professionals from North America & Europe
- Licensed doctors (GP, OB/GYN, and pediatrics ideal)
- Registered nurses and midwives
- Final-year medical students
KEY FOCUS AREAS
Where you'll have the greatest impact
- Women's & reproductive health (OB-GYN)
- Maternal health (prenatal & postnatal)
- Child health & vaccinations
- Family planning services
- Primary care in low-resource settings
WHAT MAKES THIS UNIQUE
Not your typical volunteer placement
Truly remote
Work in some of the most remote communities on Earth, accessible only by 4×4, foot, or traditional cattle cart.
Conservation-linked care
Healthcare delivery is woven into Madagascar’s most important conservation work — strengthening trust and protecting biodiversity.
Local-led collaboration
Embed with Malagasy doctors and nurses who lead every brigade — supporting local capacity, never replacing it.
FIELD CONDITIONS
Be ready for a serious adventure
Volunteers should be physically fit, comfortable in remote settings, and ready for:
- Occassionally hiking up to 5 km (3 miles) to reach villages
- Camping or basic accommodations (camp bed, mosquito net, bedding required)
- 4x4 vehicles, motorbike pillion, and traditional zebu cattle carts
- Hot, humid subtropical weather (sporadic rains January–March)
REQUIREMENTS
What you'll need
- Minimum 3-month commitment
- Relevant medical qualification or training (documentation requested during vetting)
- English and French language skills (a translator will be arranged for Malagasy)
- Cultural sensitivity and a teamwork mindset
- Comprehensive travel insurance valid for the full duration of stay
LOGISTICS & SUPPORT
Who covers what
CONSERVATION ALLIES PROVIDES
- In-country coordination and logistics
- Local transport between communities and field guides
- All medical supplies and equipment
- Security guidance and field protocols
- Basic field accommodation and cultural orientation
VOLUNTEERS COVER
- International travel (flights and any transit)
- Accommodation: villages (~21 days/month, often free or low cost) + city hotels (~8–10 days/month, from $20/night)
- Meals throughout the placement (~$10–20/day)
- Translator if needed (~$300 for 21 days in the field)
- Comprehensive travel insurance for the full stay
Estimated all-in volunteer costs run approximately $300/month in the field and $500/month in cities — typically under $1,000 per month total.
WHAT YOU'LL GAIN
A meaningful, measurable experience
Hands-on global health experience that links to nature conservation
Direct exposure to tropical and rural medicine
Cross-cultural collaboration with local medical teams
Direct, measurable impact on the world’s most vulnerable communities
READY TO JOIN A HEALTHCARE BRIGADE?
HOW TO APPLY
Send the following to
volunteer@conservationallies.org
:
- An email of interest, including your commitment to the program’s conditions and requirements
- Your available dates to volunteer
- A CV with relevant medical experience, your LinkedIn profile, full name, address, citizenship, and WhatsApp contact.
Madagascar is politically stable with no civil conflict, and Conservation Allies provides safety guidance throughout your placement. All applicants are vetted before deployment.