The 10 [Best Cheap] India Medical Volunteer Providers 2023

Are you dreaming of kick-starting your medical career with a meaningful volunteer experience in India? There are countless volunteer program providers out there, but it can be difficult to know which is best for you. With so many variables like cost, reliability, and past volunteer experience, you might be overwhelmed by all the options out there.

Traveler’s Quest wants to help you find the Medical volunteer India program that’s just right for you. We carefully reviewed all the providers offering medical volunteer programs in India, and we’ve compiled our top 10 choices here with all the info you need to know. Save yourself time, effort, and money! Keep reading to learn all about:

Plan My Gap Year

This UK based organization offers very low rates, and specializes in GAP year programs, student travel, and even offers opportunities for volunteers under the age of 18. Founded in 2011, PMGY sends over 4,000 volunteers abroad each year. If you’re a young student seeking an opportunity, this is a perfect fit for you!

About PMGY Medical Program

This medical work in India places volunteers in free slum health camps providing care to poor Indians who cannot afford it. You may also spend time in clinics in rural communities set up to provide low-cost, subsidized care to people in need. This project is open to volunteers of all backgrounds, unusual in medical placements.

Medical Volunteer India Fees:

Since PMGY specializes in young student travel, they work hard to keep their costs as low as possible and offer some of the lowest rates on this list. You’ll pay a $180 registration fee, and a 2-week program will cost you $267. This includes your housing, meals, airport pickup and local transport, and 24/7 support.

Reviews:

If you’re considering PGMY for your India medical volunteering program, you’ll be happy to hear their past volunteers had a great experience. One reported, “I stayed in the main hospital and certainly saw and learned some amazing things. It’s not easy to see these things in western hospitals due to many regulations.”

Go Overseas:

Review Center:

Why we selected Plan My Gap Year:

PMGY made our list of top 10 providers for the medical programs in India thanks to their focus on young student volunteers, low rates, great reviews, and years of experience.

RCDP International

Founded in 1998, this non-profit organization is one of the leading providers in the world, known for its affordable rates and life-changing programs committed to improving life in some of the world’s poorest communities. RCDP has helped over 18,000 volunteers travel meaningfully and is a great choice to make a big impact.

About the Healthcare Volunteer Project in India

This program gives you the invaluable opportunity to shadow and observes experienced medical professionals. Get a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to treat a variety of illnesses and injuries. You’ll be placed in a hospital in Dehli, and if you are specializing in a particular field of medicine, you will be placed accordingly.

Fees:

RCDP has the lowest rates around without sacrificing quality, and a unique payment method where your weekly fees go directly to your project and host family, ensuring your money goes where it is needed most. You’ll pay a registration fee of $279, and $250 for 2 weeks, including housing, food, airport pickup, and support.

Reviews:

Highly rated in their reviews, past volunteers are enthusiastic in recommending RCDP, making them a great choice for your Medical Volunteer India program. One RCDP veteran said, “I’d highly recommend anyone who is interested in medicine – or any sort of volunteer work.”

Abroad Reviews:

Go overseas:

Why we selected RCDP International:

RCDP is one of our top choices for your India medical volunteering program thanks to their super low prices, high value, life-changing programs, and the ability to have a placement within the hospital which is tailored to the type of medicine you are pursuing professionally. An impactful non-profit with years of experience.

International Volunteer HQ

IVHQ is the largest volunteer organization in the world, having helped over 100,000 volunteers make a difference since they were founded in 2007. They have two project locations in India, with 20-40 IVHQ volunteers headed to Dehli each month, and 10-15 in Kerala. Low rates and a great choice for bonding with other volunteers!

About the medical volunteer program in India

You will shadow and observe medical professionals in public hospitals and slum clinics during the program. You may assist the doctors and nurses in tasks like taking blood pressure, recording height and weight, etc. Volunteers in slum clinics get more hands-on experience treating minor wounds. A dental project is also offered in Kerala.

Fees:

IVHQ has very affordable rates. You’ll pay a registration fee of $299, and a two-week program costs $300. This will cover your housing, meals (breakfast and dinner), airport pickup, and the full support of the IVHQ team before and during your travels. You’ll also get special deals on insurance and flights, and online training.

Reviews:

IVHQ has great ratings, an important consideration when selecting a medical camp in India provider. A former Medical Volunteer said, “Working in a slum clinic was an amazing experience and one that will stick with me for the rest of my life.”

Go overseas:

Go Abroad:

Why we selected International Volunteer HQ:

IVHQ has fantastic past volunteer reviews, extremely low rates, and with so many volunteers headed to India each month, you’ll make plenty of like-minded friends to share the experience with. This provider is also unique in that they offer a dental healthcare volunteering program in India, as well, and two locations to choose from.

IFRE Volunteer

IFRE Volunteers is based in Dallas, TX. Founded in 2006, they’ve helped nearly 22,000 volunteers make a real difference abroad. Known for their culturally immersive homestay experience, this is a great choice for those volunteers looking to see what life is really like in India while volunteering.

Work in Medical/Health Project in India

In Dehli, India, the government has opened many clinics and hospitals in an attempt to address the healthcare needs of the city’s many impoverished citizens. You will shadow experienced professionals who are providing aid to these poor people and learn a tremendous amount about medicine.

Medical Volunteer India Fees:

IFRE has extremely low prices, a great point in their favor. You’ll pay a standard $299 registration fee, and only $300 for two weeks in the program. This includes accommodations, meals (breakfast and dinner), help fundraising for your trip, full support of the IFRE team, airport pickup, and a certificate upon completion.

Reviews:

IFRE has good reviews from their past volunteers, a great sign if they have piqued your interest as a provider for your India medical volunteering project. One past volunteer said, “As my first ever volunteering experience abroad it surpassed all of my expectations.”

Abroad Review

Go Overseas:

Why we selected IFRE Volunteer:

IFRE’s low rates, years of experience, positive reviews, and culturally immersive homestay experience make this impactful non-profit a shoo-in for our list of top 10 providers offering medical volunteer opportunities in India.

Volunteering Solutions

Nicknamed VolSol, this organization has sent over 14,000 volunteers abroad to 26 countries since being founded in 2006. With great reviews and dedication to making a difference abroad, this organization deserves a closer look. As a bonus, students studying dental healthcare can find a place with VolSol, as well!

About the India medical program

You will be shadowing a doctor or nurse in a large hospital in South Dehli during the program.  Depending on your interest, you can be placed in a variety of departments such as

ER, lab, pharmacy, radiology/imaging, OT, dialysis unit, critical care, orthopedics, nursing, obstetrics and gynecology, and more! (Dental program also available.)

Fees:

You’ll pay a $250 registration fee, and $590 for two weeks. This includes your accommodations, meals, airport pickup, and full training and support by the VolSol team. Travel insurance is available through the organization for an additional fee.

Reviews:

When selecting a provider for your public health volunteer opportunities in India, you want to be sure to select one that is going to really benefit your future career. A great place to find out if a program delivers on this front is past volunteer reviews.

A former VolSol medical volunteer said, “My trip to India was amazing in so many different aspects and is a trip I would recommend to anyone considering going! I found that the work I completed while in India to be beneficial to my career and also beneficial to my personal growth as an individual.”

Go Overseas

Volunteer forever

Why we selected Volunteering Solutions:

VolSol comes highly recommended by their past Medical Volunteer India, offers reasonable rates, and has 12+ years of experience in the volunteer abroad field. We also love that they offer so many different types of medical specialties, including dental healthcare.

Love Volunteers

Shocked by the high fees being charged to volunteer abroad, a brother and sister team from New Zealand traveled the world finding worthy projects, and founded Love Volunteers in 2009. This award-winning organization is great for first-timers, as their online dashboard walks you through the process step by step.

About the medical volunteer/Internship program in India

This program was designed to provide free healthcare to the neediest citizens in India. You’ll be mentored by a medical professional in a busy public hospital in Dehli, and your time will be spent primarily shadowing and observing. A bonus for this program is you can select a few departments you would like to specialize in.

Fees:

You’ll pay a standard $299 registration fee, and a two-week program will cost you $679. That’s just $49 a day for accommodations in a volunteer house you’ll share with fellow like-minded volunteers from around the world, airport pickup, meals, and 24/7 support from the Love Volunteers team.

Reviews:

When perusing reviews to help you select your medical volunteering trip in India, look for signs that past volunteers would recommend a provider or travel with them again. One past volunteer said, “Overall my experience with Love Volunteers was fantastic and I can’t wait to do more volunteering through them.”

Go overseas:

Go Abroad:

Why we selected Love Volunteers:

A helpful online dashboard is a great tool for volunteers who want to be led step by step through the process of planning for their trip. We also love that Love volunteer is dedicated to providing free medical care to some of India’s neediest citizens, meaning you’ll make a big impact while also advancing your career.

A Broader View

This organization focuses primarily on helping low-income communities and orphans, so if that’s what you’re looking for this is a good choice. Founded in 2007, this US-based non-profit has raised over $3 million for their partner organizations, proving your money is going right back into the communities that need it.

About the Healthcare Volunteer Program in India

You will be placed in Jaipur, India in community clinics, as well as participating in slum outreach programs. Sadly, many poor people of India die of what should be treatable diseases, and this outreach can help educate locals and prevent this unnecessary tragedy. You will learn a lot, primarily through observation.

Medical Volunteer India Fees:

Two weeks will cost you $990. A bit pricier than some other organizations on this list, A Broader View does not charge a registration fee, so be sure to factor that in when comparing prices. Your fee covers accommodations, 3 meals a day, airport pickup, full support from A Broader View, and a donation to your project.

Reviews:

A Broader View has excellent reviews, and you’ll want to look specifically at medical volunteers and what they have to say when selecting a provider for your India medical opportunity.

One pre-med student said she was most surprised by, “the number of things I was able to see and sometimes do because back home in the US it is very difficult to get opportunities like this.”

Go overseas:

Volunteer forever:

Why we selected A Broader View:

A Broader View has donated over $3 million to their partner organizations, so while their prices may be a bit more than other groups, you know that money is being put to good use. Past medical volunteers were very happy with the experience, making this a good choice for your public health volunteer opportunities in India. 

Go Eco

Launched in 2006 by two former volunteers, Go Eco has gone on to send thousands of volunteers to 150 projects around the world. They made our list of top 10 providers thanks to their dedication to promoting only ethical humanitarian and conservation projects that help make the world a better place.

About the Medical and Healthcare Volunteer/Internship Program in India

You will be placed in hospitals and clinics around Palampur throughout the program. If you specialize in physiotherapy, midwifery, or speech therapy, specialized placements are available for qualified students or medical professionals. You will learn primarily through observation, though third-year students and beyond get more hands-on experience.

Medical Volunteer India Fees:

You’ll pay $980 for two weeks at this program. Again, Go Eco does not charge a registration fee, so you need to factor that in when comparing prices. Included are your accommodations, three vegetarian meals a day, airport pick-up, and 24/7 support from the Go Eco team.

Reviews:

Go Eco has great reviews. One past volunteer said, “This health care internship was truly an experience to remember. The skills and advice learned and given are truly invaluable and will stick with me throughout medical school, residency, my career, and even until I die.”

Go overseas:

Go abroad:

Why we selected Go Eco:

Go Eco was given a spot on our top 10 list of Volunteer in India in medical program providers thanks to their dedication to ethical and good for the planet travel, their great reviews, and a decade of experience helping volunteers travel meaningfully abroad.

Foundation of International Medical Relief of Children

This highly specialized organization was founded to provide medical care to impoverished and underserved people living in developing countries, particularly children. They establish clinics of their own and are able to run them with the help of around 900 volunteers that travel around the world each year.

About the Medical Volunteer Opportunity

This project takes place in Kodaikanal, and you will join in a variety of initiatives. FIMRC operates a rural clinic you will assist in, and many educational programs are carried out in the local creches, or daycare centers. You’ll also teach nutrition and health to local women’s groups, help burn victims and join in dental care clinics.

Medical Volunteer India Fees:

The cost for a 2-week program is $1499, with each additional week being $695. There is no registration fee, so be sure to factor that in when looking at prices. Your fee covers your housing, meals, airport pickup and dropoff, the support of the FIMRC, and a generous donation to keep this project running.

Reviews:

If FIMRC sounds like your ideal provider for public health volunteer opportunities in India, you’ll be happy to know they have rave reviews. One past volunteer said, “Not only did I have the ability to make a real impact on the lives of others, but I also had an opportunity to find myself. This program can truly change your outlook on your world!” 

Go overseas

Why we selected Foundation of International Medical Relief for Children:

This unique organization is solely focused on healthcare and is instrumental in opening much-needed clinics and offering free or low-cost healthcare and educational outreach in developing countries. You’ll get an experience through FIMRC that is unlike other programs and make a real difference abroad.

Global Vision International

Commonly known as GVI, this organization is one of the most well-known on our list. Based out of the UK, GVI has helped over 35,000 volunteers make a difference worldwide. With a lot of unique offerings you won’t find elsewhere, and select scholarships available, GVI is worth a closer look.

About the Medical Volunteer Program in India

This program is totally unique and will have you leading your own health and wellness workshops in Kerala. Rather than shadowing medical professionals like in the other programs, you’ll be promoting health and wellness to special needs patients in a special school and at a local relief settlement for disabled individuals.

Fees:

GVI’s rates are quite a bit higher than some other organizations on this medical work in India list, with a two-week program costing you $847 per week. Your rate goes down significantly the longer you volunteer, with 12-week programs costing only $289 per week. This includes housing, meals, airport pickup, and full support from the GVI team.

Reviews:

GVI is very highly rated by their past volunteers, a great sign when comparing India medical volunteering program providers. One past medical volunteer said, “I joined the program to make a difference and get some much-needed work experience, and I feel confident I achieved both of these goals.”

Go Overseas

Volunteer Forever

Go Abroad-

Why we selected Global Vision International:

GVI is well-known in the volunteer abroad world, and with over 35,000 satisfied volunteers under their belt, they have the experience to back you up on your medical volunteering trip to India. Their healthcare project is completely unique, and if you are seeking experience with special needs care, this one’s for you!

Conclusion

We’ve given you the lowdown on the top 10 providers for Medical Volunteer India programs, compared what they have to offer, and offered you advice on selecting the best option for your particular situation. We hope you now have a better idea of which the provider to select, and how to move forward with your volunteer adventure abroad.

If you need more help planning for your medical work in India trip, download our Volunteer Abroad Guide below, and keep checking back in at Traveller’s Quest. We add new and helpful content all the time, so check back in to see what new things you can learn with us. Happy volunteering!

If you are interested to volunteer in any other beautiful country, check out these articles that explain the best medical volunteer program providers in Argentina, Nepal, Thailand, Cambodia, Tanzania, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Peru, Guatemala, and Uganda.