Non-Elective Placements (Work Experience) in Tanzania, Lake Victoria
Government tertiary referral hospital - We work with the second largest tertiary referral hospital in the country, offering big, busy wards. Patients are referred here for tertiary healthcare services that are not readily available at regional or district level hospitals, so there is opportunity for professionals to be quite specific about preferred areas. Placement students can also focus on particular areas and there is opportunity to work with supervisors in general medicine, surgery, obstetrics, paediatrics, casualty, infectious diseases and busy outpatient units.
Government regional hospital - Government hospitals are more representative of the type of healthcare most Tanzanians have access to. Although similar placements are offered, facilities are likely to be more basic that at the referral hospital. There are excellent opportunities for professionals interested in infectious diseases, obstetrics and surgery, as well as the opportunity to spend time in HIV clinics if you have the relevant experience. For placement students there is opportunity to witness patient cases unusual to those of the UK such as malaria, typhoid and TB.
Private clinics - These range from smaller, church-funded clinics and subsidised centres open to all Tanzanians, to private hospitals for middle income families. Most are fairly small and specialise in certain areas, giving students the opportunity to focus on a particular interest and get involved in the whole patient journey. Working in a smaller team can also help you get more hands-on experience.
Don't forget - if your preferred speciality is not listed, give us a call as we can usually accommodate most requests.
Split placements - If you are in Tanzania for more than three 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 Dar es Salaam or Arusha programmes.
Village Healthcare Experience - To complement your city placement, we offer a fantastic opportunity to travel to a Sukuma tribal village where you will spend a week working in a small hospital. Living in basic accommodation with a local family and spending afternoons with a guide learning about the Sukuma is a unique cultural experience. Read more on our Sukuma Village Healthcare experience page.
Read more about our Sukuma Village Healthcare Experience,or check out case studies from previous participants that have taken their placements in Lake Victoria.