Medical Electives Programme
Exploring New Horizons: Jess and Miriam's Medical Elective in Zanzibar
A medical elective student programme abroad allows medical students to gain hands-on experience in a different healthcare setting. Participants work alongside local medical professionals, learn about unique healthcare challenges, and broaden their clinical skills and cultural understanding. This immersive experience enhances their medical training and fosters a global perspective on healthcare.
At HIPZ, we’re thrilled to share the inspiring journey of our medical elective students, Jess and Miriam, who were interviewed during their recent placement in Zanzibar! Their experiences here reflect not only their professional growth but also the vibrant international exposure that makes our programme unique and impactful.
Meet Jess!
“Hello, my name is Jess. I’m a final year medical student at the University of Exeter. I am very happy to be here with HIPZ on our medical elective with my colleague Miriam. Initially, I was quite nervous about going abroad for my elective, but Miriam convinced me it would be a great idea to come to Africa. I stumbled upon a YouTube video of previous elective students with HIPZ in Zanzibar and discovered the charity was founded by someone from my hometown, Taunton, Somerset, which felt like a funny coincidence. Seeing the positive experiences of an Exeter graduate who had been here, I decided to give it a go. Pam, our contact at HIPZ, has been amazing, providing constant communication and support leading up to our trip, which was incredibly reassuring.
I am passionate about paediatrics and emergency medicine, and with an upcoming obstetrics and gynaecology job, I was keen to gain more experience in these fields. From day one, I’ve encountered conditions I’ve only read about in textbooks, like blighted ovum and sickle cell crises. The staff have been incredibly welcoming, and our accommodation is beautiful.
We have been seeing lots of interesting cases, such as lots of obstetric medicine including a c-section, natural births and miscarriages. Also sickle cell crises, HIV, syphilis, cholera and malnutrition cases. We have also seen a lot more conditions common to the UK than I expected so it’s really good to get exposure to how people here live with the same disease as someone back home. This includes diabetes, hypertension, stroke, pneumonia, cellulitis, renal stones, and miscarriage (which is not so common in the UK as here but important we have exposure to it before having to spot it as a doctor, especially for those who have obstetrics and gynaecology/emergency medicine/GP jobs in foundation). We’ve also seen more complications of these diseases here, due to compliance/delayed presentations, e.g. diabetic ulcers, blindness due to hypertension, cancer due to HIV, severe pneumonia, miscarriage/ectopic due to PID, stomach ulcers due to h.pylori and/or over use of NSAIDs. We’ve been to an outreach vaccination clinic and supported the local village checking the vaccination of the children. All the families were so lovely and welcoming, some even invited us in to see their house! We delivered a teaching session on ECGs to hospital staff and now we are undertaking an audit.
HIPZ have also organised visits to other hospitals such as M. Mmoja, the island’s tertiary referral hospital, and Chumbuni hospital (a brand new hospital in Zanzibar). It’s been fascinating seeing the different hospitals on the island.
Meet Miriam!
“My name is Miriam, a fifth-year medical student from the University of Exeter. Upon arrival, we received a warm welcome and were introduced to the incredible projects HIPZ is running. The mental health provisions and follow-up care for intimate partner violence victims particularly impressed me.
We’ve been getting accustomed to the local environment, including the heat, currency, and learning some Swahili. So far, we’ve been involved in ward rounds, seeing patients and helping out. The variety of cases we’ve seen includes obstetric medicine like c-sections, natural births, and miscarriages, as well as conditions like sickle cell crises, HIV, syphilis, cholera, and malnutrition.”
Meet Dr Mansweat!
“My name is Dr. Mansweat Christian, the HIPZ Elective Coordinator. I’m delighted to have Jess and Miriam here as our elective students from the UK. This programme is designed to provide practical experiences that enhance their medical skills and expose them to the local health system.
We aim for them to be involved in the community, participating in outreach programmes and seeing the broader impact of HIPZ’s work. Ensuring the success of this programme and meeting their objectives is a priority, and I look forward to them becoming advocates for HIPZ upon their return home.”
Outside The Hospital
Outside their medical duties, Jess and Miriam have embraced the opportunity to explore the stunning beauty of Zanzibar. They’ve had the chance to dive into Swahili lessons, explore the enchanting Kuza Caves, and visit the infamous beaches of Jambiani and Paje. They also ventured into Jozani Forest and Mtende with Makunduchi HIPZ employees, experiencing the island’s diverse natural beauty.
These experiences highlight how the programme not only provides invaluable medical experience but also allows students to enjoy the unique culture and breathtaking landscapes of Zanzibar.
JOIN US!
Jess and Miriam’s experiences highlight the incredible opportunities our medical elective programme offers. From hands-on medical practice to cultural immersion, this programme is designed to enrich your medical education and broaden your horizons. If you’re a medical student looking for an unforgettable elective experience, we encourage you to get in touch.
