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MEDICAL WORK EXPERIENCE PROJECTS

Get a behind the scenes view of medicine in the coastal city of Mombasa. Observe experts in your field and learn how they work in Kenya. The experience you gain will be an excellent entry on your CV or Résumé.

Your placement will be based in the Portreitz District Hospital. The Hospital was established in 1952, as an Infectious Diseases Hospital. It is a poor hospital which caters for a very poor community. They have an immense sense of urgency and a want to help as much as possible the local community where they work. It Is situated in the vibrant cosmopolitan city of Mombasa..

You will get a good general feel of the hospitals by working and/or observing in most departments.

On this page:

      .

About Kenya and the voluntary projects available in teaching, work experience, conservation, sports and care that you can do there
Medical Work Experience placements in Mombasa in Kenya
Volunteers and staff

Return to the Kenya Home Page and
the list of all our projects in Kenya

ABOUT YOUR WORK

It is difficult to be specific about the day-to-day work you will do because work is so varied and spread across many areas. The hospitals are very busy with a multitude of duties and responsibilities, so you will probably be worked very hard in most areas! The experience you gain in Kenya will be a lot different to anything you may have been used to and will be an excellent entry on your CV.

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The type of work you will be allocated will depend to an extent on your own abilities and capabilities, which is understandable given that you will be dealing with patient health and safety.

You will be involved in aspects of the day-to-day running of the hospitals, observing or directly assisting, where possible. You can help out in simple but practical ways, vastly increasing your own knowledge and understanding of medical practice.

As a volunteer your work may take you into all departments (depending on which hospital you're placed in), e.g. surgery, burns unit, ICU, Physiotherapy, X-ray, and even the mortuary to name just a few. However, if you're not qualified, you won't be allowed into operating theatres.

You will get a good general feel of the hospital by working and/or observing in most departments.

Your hours may vary insofar as they will be subject to shift rotas. Normally you will work from 9-5 Monday to Friday. However, you may sometimes work evenings or nights, sometimes over weekends, etc., but you will have time off on other days instead.

Another aspect of your work may be to help and assist the local doctors and nurses with their daily rounds, making medical notes and updating records. You could also be asked to help with computer entries, and help clean equipment and various areas within the hospital.

You will be given basic and general on the job training by your supervisor, and further jobs should become available for those with medical experience.

ABOUT PORTREITZ HOSPITAL  

The Portreitz Hospital was established in 1952, as an Infectious Diseases Hospital. It is the second biggest government hospital in Mombasa

Their mission statement is, to provide accessible, acceptable and affordable high quality promotive, preventative and rehabilitative services in line with the National health guidelines.

The hospital provides ‘complete Medical Care’. It is both an in and out patients hospital, that has many different departments. Such as Maternity, operations, dentistry, pharmacy and many more.

There is also a TB testing and treatment centre on site to. A dietician and nutritionist are also available to cater for those with any medical problems due to diet

Please click here for photos of Mombasa
 

ACCOMMODATION AND LIVING IN MOMBASA


Colourful Matatu, the local transport

Your accommodation will vary, but you will most likely live with a local family. This will give you the opportunity to experience the true African experience from the inside and not just as a "tourist" on the surface of the country.

You will most likely be placed close to your work, which will enable you to go home for lunch if you want to. Many Kenyans choose to eat locally for lunch on roast meat called "nyama choma" - a delicacy that you'll talk about for a long time!

Mombasa is the second most important city in Kenya (after Nairobi) It is the main port for Kenya and the surrounding countries, as well as being the oldest town. The pace of life is relaxed and people of Mombasa enjoy themselves (particularly on Friday and Saturday nights!).

A spectacular coral reef run for 480 km along the palm-fringed coastline. The waters below are filled with marine life, while up above a huge diversity of birdlife occupies the mangrove forests or overhanging cliffs.

The beaches of Kenya have become one of the world's great playgrounds, with plenty of opportunities for water sports or simply sunbathing. More than half of the country's international hotels are based along the Coast. The sun shines all year round and the diversity of activities is unequalled.

Another factor that makes Mombasa a wonderful place to visit is the exciting nightlife. There are many nightclubs situated along the North and South Coasts of the town, all of which have different themes that cater to different crowds. Many hotels also have their own entertainment events

In the heart of the town is where most hospitals, businesses, banks, shops and markets are situated. Being a small town (about half a million population), Mombasa does not have a subway system. However one can easily get around using the local bus service; or for a “truly Kenyan experience” a ride in a “Matatu”- which is quite a unique adventure.

TRAVEL AND SUPPORT:
You have the option to arrange your own flights or we can assist you with your flight arrangements. If you would like us to do this for you, we will liaise with you regarding available flights and dates to suit you. All arrangements for your flight bookings/payments will be fulfilled by Murray Rogers Travel Ltd., ATOL No. 6856. (Read more about Murray Rogers Travel Ltd.) Where possible, we arrange for two or more people to travel on the same flight and we will let you have the names and telephone numbers of other volunteers on your flight, so that you can chat to each other or even meet up before leaving for your placement.
Where possible, all flights we arrange for you have changeable return tickets because many of our volunteers choose to extend their stay once they are in their destination country. Changeable return tickets enable you to do so, within the limits of your visa and the level of your air ticket, of course. If you choose to book your own flights, you should endeavour to get a changeable ticket. We meet you at the airport regardless of whether you make your own travel arrangements or not.

Support:
You'll fly into Mombasa where you'll be met by our local Manager Njery Wathika or a member of her staff.  She will take you into Mombasa and get you settled into your accommodation.  You will then receive an induction into the country, and be taken to your placement and introduced to everyone.

Volunteer with baby elephant in Kenya
Volunteer with baby elephant

VISAS:. In countries where visas or immigration documents are required, we'll send you all the necessary forms and information and make the process very easy for you.

To read about the extensive Support & Backup we provide in our countries, please click here.

We can also arrange your flight dates to give you additional time at the end of your project for travelling around and sightseeing - this is a fascinating and wondrous country!

PRICES Zebra on the plain in Kenya - experience the adventure!

To see the Prices of this project and all our other projects in Kenya, please click here

Prices include
  • Food & accommodation while on your project,
  • 2 T-shirts, if required for your project
  • All support and backup during your programme
  • Meeting you at the nearest airport, where appropriate, but exclude international travel.

Return to the Kenya Home Page and
the list of all our projects in Kenya

TO APPLY FOR THIS PROJECT, PLEASE CLICK HERE

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