University of Leeds 2024
Wiktoria, a fifth-year medical student from the University of Leeds, undertook her placement in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. With an interest in theatre and surgery, she spent her placement on the plastics, reconstruction and surgery wards.
I was inspired by the opportunity to broaden my clinical experience in a completely different healthcare environment. I wanted to challenge myself, learn new skills, and understand how healthcare is delivered in resource-limited settings.
The chance to immerse myself in a new culture and work alongside healthcare professionals with different perspectives was also a major motivating factor.
My first impression of my placement hospital was how starkly different it was. The facilities were more basic and resources limited, but what stood out was the dedication and resourcefulness of the staff. Despite the challenges, the staff were incredibly welcoming, friendly, and eager to teach.
During my placement, I had the opportunity to refine my suturing skills and assist in complex procedures like skin grafts for burn patients. This allowed me to deepen my understanding of wound care and surgical management.
The most memorable case I was involved in was the removal of a fibroadenoma the size of a watermelon, followed by reconstructive breast surgery.
Assisting in a leg amputation and cutting the femur with a saw alongside the Head Surgeon was a profound experience too.
There were noticeable resource constraints, which often required staff to be more creative and resourceful in their approach to patient care. I also noticed that patients would often only have surgery at the very last stage of their illness or if their burns had become severely infected.
During the evenings after placement, my housemates and I embraced the local culture by visiting Slipway – a popular spot with restaurants, markets and waterfront views. I also went on a safari, one of my favourite experiences in Tanzania!
If I were to offer words of encouragement to those considering undertaking a healthcare placement overseas, I’d say go for it! It’s a unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to develop adaptability and clinical experience and immerse yourself in a different culture.
