Physiotherapy elective placements in Arusha, Tanzania

Arusha's hospitals are typical of the care available in most Tanzanian cities. Unlike Mwanza and Dar es Salaam, there is no tertiary referral hospital, so it's a great option if you want to see what healthcare is like for the majority of the country.

Government regional hospital - We work with the largest government run hospital in the area, offering a busy physiotherapy department with excellent supervisors. The role of a physio in Tanzania includes reading x-rays and setting casts, as well as a reliance on manual skills, but those keen to learn will find good opportunities in outpatients treating head injuries, back pain, post-polio complications and children with cerebral palsy. There is also opportunity to join ward rounds, treating paediatric burns, fracture management, trauma, stroke and elderly care.

Government district hospital - The smaller district hospitals offer a more basic version of the care available at the regional hospital. Although students will be working with similar cases to the regional hospital, facilities are likely to be more basic and students keen to enhance their manual skills have lots of opportunity to develop their skills.

Don't forget - if your preferred speciality is not listed, give us a call as we can usually accommodate most requests. You could also think about other opportunities to make more of your elective:

Split placements-If you are in Tanzania for more than four weeks, it's a brilliant place to do a split placement. We will give you time in both the regional or district hospital, or in the primary healthcare clinic. If you wish to travel further afield we can also arrange half your placement at our Lake Victoria or Dar es Salaam programme.

Village healthcare experience - Tanzania is famous as the home of the Maasai tribe. To complement your city placement, we offer a fantastic opportunity to travel to a rural village where you will spend a week working in a local dispensary. There is not much call for specific physiotherapy treatment but this is good experience for those interested in primary healthcare in Tanzania. A week living with a local family and spending time with a guide learning how the Maasai live is also a unique cultural experience.  Read more on our Arusha Village Healthcare Experience  page.