Sidebar #27 - Peace Corps Healthcare

Serving in the Peace Corps isn’t always glamorous. Volunteers aren’t in communities they necessarily chose nor are they sustained on diets they personally curate. Being a Peace Corps Volunteer isn’t exactly the most lucrative stop on the career path either. However, one of the major, major perks we receive as volunteers is robust, free healthcare. Peace Corps hires local physicians known as Peace Corps Medical Officers (PCMOs) who are our points of contact if anything medical-related occurs. We also have access to hospitals in every region of the country. This includes a state-of-the-art private hospital in San José, where I go in the event of a medical issue. PCMOs also handle our prescriptions and can give volunteers refills when necessary. Serving at sites that are often remote and exotic, this kind of free service is vital for volunteers around the world, especially since we don’t make a lot of money for our service. You never know when something weird may come up just by the nature of living in a foreign environment. Despite living in a semi-urban environment, I still contracted E. Coli during my first moments in my community. Finally, all volunteers are given a robust medical kit (well, briefcase) upon going to their sites. We are given supplies of everything ranging from ibuprofen to antifungals to condoms. Like prescriptions, volunteers can contact them when they need anything from the medical kit refilled. The healthcare we receive is undoubtedly one of the most perks of serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer.



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