Organising my medical elective took a lot of careful planning and decision-making. Having visited Zambia in 2008, I was extremely keen to go back to that part of the World and explore further, focusing particularly on oncology and how it is dealt with in the developing world.
It became clear quite quickly that oncology is an area that is not recognised in Africa in the same way as the United Kingdom and that organising an elective was going to prove difficult. I already had concerns about undertaking my elective in Eastern Africa, especially if I were to be travelling alone, so I sought advice from a company called Work the World who specialise in organising medical electives and will tailor placements to suit your requirements. They also provided ground staff, accommodation and meals, which was the support I was looking for.
I thought I would have to change either my specialist area or choice of destination, so I was thrilled when they used their contacts to find me a placement in Tanzania that included time working with one of the only Oncologists in the country. He had just finished specialist training in Italy and had set up a department within Bugando Hospital in Mwanza just 8 months earlier – this was an amazing opportunity to observe an entirely new range of conditions and procedures as part of a new area of study in Tanzania.
During my time in Bugando, I was able to attend ward rounds with the Oncologist, full to the brim with weird and wonderful signs, and work in the daily clinics. Something that became all too familiar was the presentation of patients with extremely advanced disease. I saw countless patients with cancerous lesions greater than I had ever imagined possible, many of whom were terminal before they even presented to a healthcare professional. The oncologist told me that many delayed visiting the hospital because of the stigma attached to disease in Tanzania or because their first port of call was to a herbalist or traditional healer. Amazingly some patients knew so little about cancer they thought their problems were due to charms set against them.
One particular case that distressed me was a young boy who attended Bugando with his father. The child had just been diagnosed with Burkitt’s lymphoma, and had clearly evident ascitic swelling of his abdomen. Confusingly, the child also had a sizeable scar on his abdomen, apparently from a relatively recent burn. It later transpired that the boy had been taken to see a traditional healer, who had attempted to burn the cancer out of him. I had to set aside my own personal views and pre-conceived ideas so as not to be angry at the child’s father and to appreciate traditional healers have always provided healthcare for the rural areas of Tanzania. Not only are they far more affordable than the hospitals, rural villagers have always put an enormous amount of faith in the wisdom of these village elders.
Despite the regular challenges I faced throughout my stay, my placement in Bugando and my time in Tanzania was absolutely incredible. It is a beautiful country and I was able to climb Kilimanjaro, relax on Zanzibar and go out on safari during my time there. I also spent a week on a village healthcare programme, giving me the chance to experience tribal culture and work in a small rural clinic. I finished my eight weeks inspired by the people of Tanzania and the way they conduct their lives, despite all adversities. I would sincerely like to return one day when I have acquired the knowledge and expertise to be of more value to the medical team at Bugando, who are battling the odds to practice medicine in such an underprivileged region of the World.
For anyone else keen to organise an elective in a developing country, I would thoroughly recommend Work the World. The guidance and support that I received both before and during the placement was exemplary, and it definitely made for a (relatively) stress-free trip!
Charlotte Brown, medical student
Received July 2010
All of the students quoted in this article travelled with Work the World, the UK’s leading provider of healthcare electives in Africa, Asia and South America for UK and international students. Programme fees include a placement tailored to your interests, a guaranteed supervisor, pre-departure support and advice, accommodation and meals in a Work the World student house, 24-7 support staff, airport pick up and a local orientation around the town. All images used with permission, courtsey of Work the World.
Contact Work the World on 01273 573 863 or email info@worktheworld.co.uk
Categories