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Medical Internships in Tanzania
Interning abroad in Medicine & Healthcare in Tanzania is an excellent way to gain experience combined with the chance to help people in some of the most under-resourced medical institutions in the developing world.
Projects Abroad works with both small health clinics and large government hospitals in Tanzania, allowing interns the unique opportunity to experience a variety of different departments and to work closely alongside local doctors and nurses.
Your Role as a Medicine & Healthcare Intern in Tanzania
Medicine interns in Tanzania work with a variety of medical institutions in and around the town of Arusha in northern Tanzania and in the coastal city of Dar es Salaam. In both the smaller health clinics and the larger hospitals interns will find themselves working with patients who have a wide range of illnesses. There are many different departments in the majority of the hospitals we work with, including maternity, general medicine, surgery, pediatrics, palliative care, and working with HIV patients and in the laboratory. Interns can choose whether they want to work in a variety of different departments or focus on one in particular.
Your exact role within the hospital or clinic will be determined by your level of medical experience as well as the enthusiasm and effort that you show to the local staff. Pre-university interns usually start by observing the doctors and nurses. However, you may find more practical opportunities arise once you get to know the local staff and demonstrate a good understanding of local medical conditions. The roles of interns who already have some medical experience also vary and it is important to build up trust and good relationships with the local doctors.
Facilities within the hospitals and clinics are basic and treatments are sometimes not of the standard we would expect in more developed countries. You should be prepared to see some shocking cases and try not to get emotionally involved with the patients. Your working hours will usually be decided on a weekly basis. Most interns work from Monday to Friday and have the weekends free.
We hold regular medical workshops for all our medical interns. These are run by qualified doctors who work in the busy hospitals in Arusha and Dar es Salaam. The workshops allow you not only the opportunity to ask about specific things you have seen during your placement but also to learn different techniques and skills which you can then put into practice when you go to work at your placement.
Interns also take part in medical outreach work that often involves travelling to local villages, rural areas, or orphanages to carry out basic medical checks on the local community and Maasai tribes.
Intern in Nursing or Midwifery in Tanzania
If you have an interest or skills in nursing or midwifery, then there are opportunities for you in the hospitals, clinics, and maternity departments. As a Nursing or Midwifery intern, you will mostly observe a variety of births, caesarean sections, and gynecological and obstetric procedures.
Intern in Physiotherapy in Tanzania
We work with several different centers and rehabilitation clinics in Tanzania. Interns have the opportunity to work alongside local staff helping both adults and children. However, it is important that you have some experience or qualifications in this area. You will be given the unique opportunity to gain knowledge about how local procedures and patient support are comparable to your past experience in these areas.
Intern in Dentistry in Tanzania
Dentistry interns work in the dentistry department at different health centers and hospitals. The departments deal with the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of dental problems as well as the investigation and treatment of mouth disorders. As with all Medicine & Healthcare placements, your role will depend on your level of experience and skill. Showing enthusiasm and initiative and developing a good relationship with the local dentistry staff is essential and may lead to you gaining more responsibility.
Elective Placements in Tanzania
In Tanzania medical students can do an elective in general medicine, nursing, or midwifery. As an Elective intern you will be assigned a local supervisor who will test out your knowledge as well as offer you the benefit of his or her training and experience.