For more than three decades now medical students have been visiting different countries to help locals. The expeditions, currently taking place in five different regions in developing countries, are intended for students finishing their medical studies and young graduated doctors. They are often also joined by registrars and medical specialists. "It's usual for people who take part in an expedition to return many times," explained Aida Zečkanović, one of the five members of the team. Conditions that have to be fulfilled in order to be part of an expedition, organized by the Section for Tropical Medicine at the Medical Faculty in Ljubljana, are to pass an exam in tropical medicine and take part in a so-called tropical weekend – a three-day education event on medical expeditions.
Slovenia's medical students will spend three months in Madagascar - that's how long their visa will be valid for. When one mentions Madagascar most Slovenians first think of missionary Pedro Opeka, who has been active there for decades and still helps out the expeditions. "Mr. Opeka has been helping us for many years in the purchase of medicine, which can be obtained in Madagascar, and our transport to Matanga. We normally also visit him at his mission and also attend one of his masses. The whole hospital in Matanga works as part of Opeka's mission in Madagascar."