Tanzania: Medical Placement

Introduction

A high percentage of deaths in Tanzania are caused by 4 poverty-linked groups of diseases: infectious & parasitic diseases, illnesses of the respiratory system, nutritionally related diseases and diseases of the digestive system.

Our vision is to offer high-quality, appropriate health-care to the people of Arusha. During this Medical Internship, you will be assisting local staff and conducting treatments according to your skills and previous education. If you are qualified to perform surgeries, you will be able to assist our surgeons, however even if you are not, there is plenty for you to get involved in. You will be observing surgeries, taking blood pressure, administering vaccinations and treatments, along with a wide range of other necessary and important tasks.

The hospital faces challenges every day and staff and patient care are among the biggest concerns. The hospital is asking for interns and volunteers to help share their knowledge and skills and work together to create effective and appropriate healthcare to the surrounding region.

As part of this internship, you can be placed and gain experience in the following fields:

• Maternal and child healthcare
• Gynecological services
• Pediatric consultations
• Ophthalmological services and outreach clinics
• Dental services
• In and outpatient services
• Radiological services
• Provision of counselling to HIV/AIDS patients as well as the provision of ARV therapy
• Diabetic Clinic

Daily Life

The working week runs from Monday to Saturday. Although you are not expected to work on Saturdays, you are more than welcome to put in extra hours.

Everyday (apart from Wednesdays and Fridays) starts with a doctor’s handover meeting at 9 am in the Matron office. The hospital is very flexible and encourages interns to attend anything they are interested in. Every task at the hospital is looked upon as being important, so if you for some reason can´t assist in medical treatment one day, please don’t hesitate to ask for other tasks such as doing laundry, cleaning instruments, scrub the floor etc.

Daily duties include:

• Mother and baby clinic
• CTC (Care and treatment clinic – HIV): Except Wednesday
• General Outpatients (run by clinical officers not doctors)
• Surgery
• Ward Round

Additional opportunities include working in the:

• Pharmacy
• Laboratory
• Ultrasound department
• Radiology

There may be the opportunity to attend outreach sessions at rural areas; however this will be dependent on the availability of such sessions during your stay.

Shift Work hours are: Morning (7am-2pm), Afternoon (2pm-6pm), Evening (6pm-8pm).
Outpatients Shifts: 8am-2:30pm and 2:30-6pm.

Travel & Accom.

You will be met at Kilimanjaro International airport or Arusha bus station by a project representative and taken to start your placement.

You will be staying in a fully serviced apartment, along with other interns and volunteers. You will have a shared room and bathroom. Our coordinators will make sure you are safe and comfortable and have everything you need throughout your placement.

During weekends you can visit the Tanzania National parks (Tarangire, Manyara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro crater) or visit the many local attractions, such as the Hot springs, Maasai village and Canoe safaris. There are many trips we can organise for you.

Requirements

Interns working at the hospital are asked to bring:
– Lab coat, stethoscope, pen torch
– Notepads and stationary
– White dress/apron
– Alcohol gel, hand sanitizer
– Scrubs
– Small first aid kit
– Disposable items including gloves, goggles
– Oxford handbook of tropical medicine
– Mosquito net, mosquito repellent, anti-malaria tablets
– Phrasebook and guidebook

Health and Safety

The HIV infection rate in the hospital is much higher than the Tanzanian average of 6-7%. It is advisable to bring your own HIV PEP, however the hospital may be able to provide help in emergencies. Local preventative practices may differ from those experienced at home, so ensure you carry everything you will require to reduce the risk of infection. The hepatitis risk is low.

Drugs are readily available at local pharmacies if you get ill, however it is advised to bring sufficient amounts of common things such as loperamide, oral rehydration and any other regular medicines.

General Requirements

• Min age 18 – Max age 80
• Minimum 1 month commitment – 30+ hours a week, 6 days a week.
• Enthusiasm and interest to work in Medicine – You must be studying medicine or have relevant qualifications
• Good English skills
• Full travel & medical insurance
• Necessary vaccinations
• Necessary flights & visas

Extra Activities

Tanzania- land of safaris, glacier capped peaks, and beaches. With your trip to this country, you will find yourself in the African plains along with lions, zebras, rhinos and…..hot air balloons. After careful consideration, we have narrowed down the Top 5 things to do in this amazing country.

Mount Kilimanjaro

Across the board, Mount Kilimanjaro is the number one reason people go to Tanzania. Hikers and climbers come from around the world to scale Africa’s highest peak. This breathtaking glacier-capped dormant volcano has been drawing visitors for hundreds of years. You do not have to climb it to see it however. Thousands that visit Kilimanjaro National Park are content with just taking a “peak.”

Take a Safari

Take some time to finally see all the animals you have been dreaming about since childhood- lions, elephants, rhinos, giraffes- with a safari in Tanzania. The best time to go is between July and October, you will see more animals and escape the rainy season. There are many different types of safaris, and you are sure to find one that fits your lifestyle. Opportunities range from quick, no-frills jeep trips to private luxurious week long vacations.

Take a Balloon Safari

A hot-air balloon ride through the African plains at dawn is a bucket list item you haven’t even thought of yet. The Serengeti National Park has partnered with a tour company to provide one-hour, early morning tours from the sky. Be part of “high” society and sip wonderful champagne with breakfast after incredible views of the Park. This is truly a unique way to witness the African wildlife you’ve always wanted to see.

Ngorongoro Crater

This is not just any national park. This is where paleoanthropologist Mary Leakey found the famous Laetoli footprints. These are the oldest human footprints ever recorded in history (3.6 million years old). Apart from this historical fact, the park in itself is incredible. Home to black rhinos and expansive lakes covered in flamingos, the wildlife is sure to blow you away. You will also see one of the biggest craters on the earth-an area that is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Another reason Ngorongoro Crater is so unique is that the Maasai people still live on the land. They are a nomadic, cattle herding people that live alongside the animals in the area. In this one park you experience history, culture and wildlife like nowhere else on this planet.

Stay at the Zanzibar Beaches

If you are looking for something a little more relaxing and rejuvenating for your time off, escape to the beaches on the island of Zanzibar. Stay anywhere from a little cabana on the beach to a five star resort. Enjoy the fresh seafood, simple society, and white sands of the coastal area in Tanzania. If you do decide to get out for the day, one unique and interesting excursion could be a spice tour. Tanzania is known for their trade of cinnamon, nutmeg and many other fragrant spices.

Costs

* Currency conversions are approximate.
** All payments incur a 5% bank transfer fee
*** Place is confirmed with a 1 month deposit

What’s Included:

Project Fee includes all food, accommodation, airport pickup, orientation, in-country support and project activities.

What’s not included:

Flights, insurance, visas (please note the visa will cost $250 USD) and vaccinations.

Full assistance will be provided in getting all these arranged if you choose our Premium Support.

Premium Support Upgrade

We understand there’s a great deal to plan and organise for your trip. When booking a Placement, many of our participants choose to purchase our Premium Support Upgrade to benefit from the expertise, knowledge and experience of our Project Coordinators.

We can provide the personal advice you need to ensure your trip is organised with excellence and planned with efficiency; ensuring the very best experience possible. Read more about how we can help you.