GPC 2011 - Tanzania

On May 30th, 2011 students from Touro University California traveled to Tanzania for a 4-week program.

This program, which started in 2004, is a part of the Global Physician Corps, an International Health program established to provide health care professionals an opportunity to learn about the complex interplay between social, political, and economic factors that shape the health care system in Africa. Additionally, this program created an opportunity to travel abroad and learn about different cultures, while experiencing medicine in a developing country.

During this program we had the opportunity to actively participate in ward rounds, attend outpatient and mobile clinics, attend lectures about common tropical diseases, assist in surgeries, and most importantly, interact with patients.

Located next to Lake Victoria, Shirati Hospital saw water-harbored diseases such as schistosomiasis. Additionally, we saw patients diagnosed with HIV, tuberculosis, cutaneous anthrax, and meningitis. In the operating theater we observed many C-sections, tubal ligations, and interestingly multiple exploratory abdominal laparotomies.

This invaluable experience helped us to tie together medical theory and clinical practice. Exposure to a developing country's health care system also put our own health care system into perspective allowing us to better appreciate diversity of medicine and how important education is to everyone.

We are in hopes that this program will continue to provide these worthwhile experience to all future students.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• GPC
• 2011
• Tanzania