Fund a medical communicator
to give a patient clarity.

Medical Communicators are trained local nursing assistants who volunteer at Tintswalo Hospital for four months. They interpret Shangaan, Sotho, and English, explain diagnoses and medications in culturally appropriate ways, to ensure patients leave the consultation room understanding their care and empowered to take charge of their own health.
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What a Communicator Does

• Patient communication: Communicators sit alongside doctors in outpatient consultations, translating diagnoses, treatment plans, and medication instructions so patients leave understanding how to care for themselves.
• Clinical support: Beyond the consultation room, they assist in diabetes clinics, cataract camps, school outreach, and patient education initiatives across the hospital and in the community.
• Doctor orientation: They help new volunteer doctors navigate the hospital, patient flow, and community context — reducing the adjustment period and improving care from day one.
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What a Placement Costs

A full four-month Medical Communicator placement costs approximately R9,200 (USD 460). This covers training, mentorship, a stipend, and the support needed for a communicator to be effective across departments.

Every Rand or Dollar helps a patient hear their diagnosis in a language they understand. It also gives a local nursing assistant four months of real clinical experience.
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What Happens After

The programme creates a pathway forward. Communicators leave with a certificate, a professional reference, and hands-on clinical experience, strengthening their readiness for employment in the local health sector.One has been hired permanently at Tintswalo Hospital, and three others moved into fieldwork roles in a local research programme.