Whats Included

GCVH Services

Accommodations

On a GVCH trip we want to make sure that you don't have to worry about anything once in-country.
We take great measures to make certain that your accommodations, transportation, food, and touristic needs are taken care of so that you can focus on the healthcare/clinical experiences.

Accommodations

We have a variety of accommodations readily available dependent on team size.
A GCVH representative will stay with the teams at each site in order to answer any/all questions.
Each student will have their own bed, yet may be in a room with 2 - 4 other students of same gender.
In order to give you the best care in safe and comfortable accommodation spaces, we have created strong ties and strategic alliances with hotel owners to guarantee the best experience during your program.

Find out more

Food

Accommodations

Transportation

Breakfast will be served at the hotel. A typical Nicaraguan breakfast that you find in most homes and restaurants usually consists of eggs, cheese, gallo pinto, and sweet plantains, served with white bread or corn tortillas. Fresh juice or coffee accompanies most Nicaragua breakfasts.
Lunch will be provided at your clinic sites. The majority of Nicaraguan meals are founded upon traditional Nicaragua foods. Those include corn, beans, plantains, yucca, and peppers. A characteristic Nicaragua meal that you can try all over the country might include a meat like chicken, pork, or fresh seafood from deep-fried plantains, rice, and beans (gallo pinto) and a cabbage salad. Our Staff will make the necessary preparations every day to ensure that you receive a delicious lunch that will be taken to your site properly packed, clean and fresh as well as we will make sure that you obtain the most suitable type of food for your diet.
Supper/Dinner will be provided at either the hotel or a local restaurant. Every day we will do our best to provide a delicious Nicaraguan dinner or we will provide food from restaurants according to your dietary needs.
Specialty dietary needs will be addressed as best possible .

Transportation

Internet Access

Transportation

The transportation service that we offer for our programs is complete, from your arrival in the country you will be transported safely from the airport to the hotel, and from the hotel to the clinic site daily.
The type of transportation may vary according to the number of participants in each group. Each unit is equipped with air conditioning and assigned driver, in addition to being modern and having the insurance that the Law orders.
We also offer private transportation services according to your own itinerary or destinations.

Bottled Water

Internet Access

Bring your own water bottle as we will have purified/safe water .
If you’re serious about helping the environment, reduce your plastic use by bringing your own reusable bottle, help us save the planet.
Our Staff will provide purified water every day so that you can refill your bottle.
Remember that you will be visiting a country with a tropical climate and continuous hydration guarantees your health at all times.

Internet Access

Students will have access to the internet as in Nicaragua most hotels, restaurants and parks are equipped with internet access via free WIFI. Our staff will make sure that you get the wifi password as soon as possible.
It is recommended that if you require a Call and Data service, be sure to ask your provider's customer services to activate a Roaming service that suits you best.

Emergency Aid

Development of Patient Care Skills

Emergency Aid

Students will have to access local MD's as well as:
Highly qualified staff that will be available 24 hours daily to offer the best care and attention.
24 hour transportation and driver in case of emergency.
Translators with great experience in the management of medical vocabulary and tourist information.
In case of illness you will not be alone, our staff and MD's will be by your side to guarantee your quick recovery. We have an emergency kit that we carry everywhere in order to give an immediate response to any potential emergency, and have partnerships with local hospitals.

Team Members

Development of Patient Care Skills

Emergency Aid

GCHV prides itself on making the student experience "the best that it can be" by facilitating a support team of very experienced and compassionate MD's, Dentists, Pharmacists, Veterinarians, Physical Therapists, Nurses, Teachers, team leaders, translators, bus drivers and cooks.
The students become part of a team that is experienced in developing the skills necessary to make the clinical days memorable.
Through interactions with the GCHV team, the students will grow their skillsets, self confidence, and compassion to make a difference in the lives of others.

Development of Patient Care Skills

The majority of students that join our teams have little, to no clinical experience prior to arrival, but on departure they have increased their self confidence as they have had 6 days of clinical "hands-on" experiences. At a bare minimum, students are taught:

Vital signs
Basic patient assessments
Prevalent diseases
Interpretation of diagnostic labs
Commonly used medications
Medication calculations
Basic suturing
Presenting a patient to an MD
Basic medical Spanish
Cultural competency

COVID Protocols

Development of Patient Care Skills

The GCHV Health & Safety team has been actively monitoring the impact that COVID-19 is having on the Nicaraguan communities where we operate our programs. In all of our program locations, we have local staff and trusted partners who provide information for consideration by our Health & Safety Team.
GCHV takes infectious disease seriously as follows:

All GCHV staff have taken a Coronavirus Safety Course
GCHV participants are required to follow all COVID-19 specific rules (e.g., use of face masks, observation of social distancing measures and limitations on gatherings) established by local, state and federal governments, and any rules established by attractions, sites, and service providers (e.g., housing, restaurants, etc.). Additionally, students will have to wear face masks when participating in any GCHV-sponsored activity.
All clinics will have a centrally located “Coronavirus Safety Station” with ample alcohol handwash, gloves, facemasks, eye protection, cleansing solutions/wipes, etc.
All pods have been realigned and reconfigured to reflect at least 6 feet of distance from patient, interpreter, student, MD.
Flow of patients/family into the clinic pods are regulated to minimize the number of people in the clinic.
A timeline of 15 minutes or less has been established for any one-on-one interactions between students and patient
Developed a process for cleaning of stations/pods between patients
Increase utilization of fans to increase airflow inside the clinics
Initiate daily testing of students (temperature, health questionnaire, etc.)
Students will be placed in single rooms where they can isolate should they become sick with COVID-19 while abroad. GCHV resident staff will continue to be available to advise and support the student to include coordinating meals and medical care, if necessary.
Developed a Community Mask Program that involves donation of masks to all patients and family that come to our clinics.