How to become a humanitarian doctor work NGO
How to become a humanitarian doctor
The giant and the popular humanitarian non-governmental organization Medicines Sans Frontiers (MSF) in 2022, hired over 100 medical doctors in the organization to deliver humanitarian medical assistance to people affected with severe acute malnutrition.
The world most bigger MSF malnutrition project in Katsina state Nigeria of Medicines Sans Frontiers France has over 400 humanitarian medical and non-medical staffs including doctors, nurses, nutrition assistant, and health promoters.
Being a humanitarian doctor is very rewarding and has enjoyable feelings.
Despite helping people affected with disaster, arm conflict, epidemics, being a humanitarian doctor has the opportunity of learning new experiences and skills. You can meet different people from different places and share knowledge.
Because humanitarian doctors response to emergency situation based on the protocol of the humanitarian non-governmental organization he is serving and guidance of humanitarian principles, knowing how to become a humanitarian doctor is very important.
In this article I will explain steps for everyone who want to become a humanitarian doctor, the steps will be explained in details so that you can understand.
Before we go deeper let us see the meaning of humanitarian doctor.
Read also: How to join Doctors Without Borders as a nurse or a doctor
Who is a humanitarian doctor?
A humanitarian doctor is a qualified medical doctor who is providing emergency medical assistance vulnerable people in situations of armed conflict disaster and epidemic.
They save human life and alleviate their suffering, they expresses concern for others while promoting human welfare.
Now that you know who is a humanitarian doctor let us dive in deeper to see all about how to become a humanitarian doctor.
All your need will be met here, all you need is to read this article to the end very well.
Simple steps to become a humanitarian doctor
Step 1: Become a medical doctor first.
The first step to become a humanitarian doctor is to become a qualified medical doctor.
Because a doctor deal with life of people it takes several years to gain the education, skills and experience required for a career as a doctor.
Before you practice as a qualified medical doctor it several years to gain the education, skills and experience required.
Getting the MD bachelor’s degree typically takes four years, and the medical school takes another four. When you Graduated from the medical school, you begin a residency program.
During your residency you spend another three to seven years, this is depending on the area of specialty you choose in the beginning of your medical program.
When your program is internal medicine residencies, this typically take three years to complete.
Basic training in internal medicine is three years of residency (termed ‘categorical’ training) following medical school. Following completion of three years of training, residents are eligible for board certification in internal medicine.
While general surgery residencies take five years.
Training consists of a minimum of five years of postgraduate education in general surgery training in an ACGME-accredited general surgery residency training program (this training may be reduced to four years in select training programs for those pursuing certain fellowships).
Therefore, in total, you can expect to spend 11 to 15 years becoming a doctor.
To simplify the process I will take general solutions to make you understand how to become a medical doctor simply to achieve your dream of becoming a humanitarian doctor.
Here I will give you the knowledge about two most developed countries, knowing their system of becoming a doctor will help you.
Later then I will provide a simple guide for you on how to become a doctor in your own country.
The two most developed countries we will talk about now is England (UK) and America (US).
let’s start by knowing how to become a doctor in US.
Read also: How to become a medical doctor in USA
Guides to become a doctor in US.
Becoming a doctor in US need to be educated and trained about medicine. Here are the essential steps that will help you become a doctor in US.
Six (6) simple steps to become a doctor in US
1. Prepare yourself in Highschool
This is the first step of becoming a doctor, develop the passion by building feelings of caring and helping sick one to regain well being.
You need to study hard to and focus on science and mathematics.
Prepare yourself by obtaining higher grades in high school.
However, been a medical doctor is not only about reading or attending science an math classes, you need to consider communication and interpersonal skills.
Develop feelings of helping people in the community and your school, this will groom well in your initial step.
2. Get into an Accredited medical college.
Most medical schools require students to have taken a series of courses as undergraduates. This ensures that they have strong foundational knowledge in math and science and will be well prepared for the more advanced courses they’ll have to take as med students.
College is where you really start focusing your studies and preparing for a career in medicine.
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3. Take and pass the MCAT exam.
The Medical College Admission Test, or MCAT, serve as entrance exam to medical school, this exam test how well you are prepared for medical school, and the mark you score can determine whether you can be admitted into the medical college.
MCAT exam consist of multiple choices and test your problems solving skills, and competence.
In preparation, reading subjects like Physics, biology and chemistry can help you earn a higher score.
There are also MCAT books you can buy or check out from the library, online practice tests and preparation classes you can take before the exam.
You may take this test up to three times a year, so many college students sign up for the MCAT as soon as they’re eligible.
4. Enroll in to Medical School.
It is recommended to begin application to medical schools in the summer (junior year) before your senior year.
Most interested candidates typically apply through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS).
After enrollment in the programs normally you will do four years to complete. Learning both class and on-site experience.
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5. Pass the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE).
This is the first two parts of (USMLE), the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), exam evaluates the student suitability for a career as a doctor, including your foundational knowledge and understanding of medical standards and practices. The USMLE contains three parts.
6. Select your prepared specialty and begin your residency program.
During the third or fourth year of your medical school, it’s very important to choose a specialty so you can prepare to follow a residency in that practice area.
7. Obtain medical license from your state.
You finish by getting your license to practice as a medical doctor.
This include passing part three of the USMLE exam and obtain your state medical license.
The above is the explanation on how become a doctor in US.
How to become a doctor in UK.
Before you become a UK doctor you first have to obtain a degree in medicine from a medical school whose medical degrees we accept. Courses normally last five years, or four years for a graduate entry programme. They involve basic medical sciences as well as clinical training on the wards.
After graduation, you’ll enter the two-year Foundation Programme. You’ll be provisionally registered with a licence to practice while completing the first year. Full registration is awarded when you’ve completed year one.
How to become a doctor in your own country.
- Know the medical school requirements for medical doctor study of your own country.
- Get the admission in the accredited college.
- Study hard and pass the examinations in the programs.
- Obtain a license to practice.
Now that you know how to become a doctor let us move to another step of becoming a humanitarian doctor.
Step 2: Join humanitarian NGO for experience
Responding to emergency and catastrophic situation is a learning experience and skills.
Individual need to be trained before they can be able to render humanitarian aid to people in need.
Humanitarian non-governmental organization like Medecins Sans Frontieres deliver humanitarian services to people affected with arm conflict, disaster and epidemic to alleviate their suffering, the organization.
MSF as international medical humanitarian organization now operates programmes in more than 70 countries worldwide.
That is very awesome for a qualified doctor to join the organization and learn humanitarian service. But as a qualified doctor how can you join the MSF and work.
There are two ways you can join the organization and work, these are:
- MSF contract staff
- MOH staff
Because Medicins Sans Frontieres don’t accept staff as volunteer the above two ways are the major ways to join the organization.
Read also: How to become a humanitarian doctor work NGO
MSF Contract Staff
During any catastrophic situations, MSF do respond to the emergency event by giving aid to the people affected, during this MSF recruit medical and non-medical staffs including doctors to provide the medical aid.
Qualified doctors can have a definite or an indefinite contract with the organization to work. MSF will train the doctor about giving humanitarian aid services with a authentic trainings.
At the end of the contract, the doctor will be given certificate of work experience with the organization.
MOH staff
As a Ministry of health staff (MOH) you can join MSF. Because usually MSF build their project in a government health facility of the country.
They usually involve MOH staffs to train them humanitarian activities including medical ethics and humanitarian principles.
This serve as an opportunity to individual including medical doctor who want to learn humanitarian work to join the organization to help people in need.
step 3: Understand humanitarian doctor roles
In according to MSF as humanitarian organization, humanitarian doctor Provide outpatient and/or inpatient medical care to patients/beneficiaries according to adapted and updated medical knowledge, MSF protocols, values and universal hygiene standards to improve the patients/beneficiaries health conditions.
Humanitarian doctor work is to provide emergency medical assistance in situations of disaster, epidemic and arm conflict.
Hope this article help you to get started with your career in humanitarian medicines.
