Pre-med Placement Tanzania

Like any aspiring pre-med student, I was desperately looking for work experience. Being only 17, Gap medics seemed like the perfect organization; All through the booking process, the Gap medics team was very helpful and patient, eager to answer all of questions, however trivial they were.

Upon arriving in Dar Es Salaam, I was greeted by M’doe who was very excited to see me. The next day, after meeting two other students, we took the bus up to Iringa.
The Gap medics house was brand new and very homely; I was introduced to the students who had been there for a while. We then had a delicious homemade pizza made by our very talented cook, Debora.

During a typical hospital day we would always work in pairs and ward rounds began at 9 am. We’d arrive in time to meet the doctor who would go from patient to patient whilst he explained in detail what was wrong and what the appropriate treatment of. My favourite placement was in surgery. We mainly observed surgical procedures which were explained fully as the operations continued. On one occasion I plucked up enough courage to ask Dr Simkoko, the attending in OBS/GYN, if I could scrub in on a procedure. Twenty minutes later, I was helping the doctor hold clamps, swab and I even cut the umbilical cord during the C-section!

At two o’clock, after lunch, one of the doctors would give us a one hour lecture on any given subject, may it be post/op procedures or how to deal with a trauma patient. On one occasion during a lecture we practiced stitching on a leg of beef. After the lecture, we would usually go to the internet cafe or the Neema cafe for a delicious slab of cake.
Not only did I meet some incredible people, the experience gave me the opportunity to travel to travel on safari and to Zanzibar. From a more academic point of view this trip will definitely enhance my personal statement and give me a “hands-on” insight into what a medical career would be like. The whole month was unforgettable and has pushed me to work even harder towards becoming a doctor. I am looking forward to returning next year for an even longer stay.