Tanzania is a fantastic place to visit for your medical elective. However, there are a number of different things worth considering when planning your elective.

 

Choosing a Hospital

• There are many hospitals in Tanzania
• Over 40% of the hospitals are mission led
• It can be very tough choosing a hospital, and this can require more time than you think
• Consider the more rural hospitals because some of them will really benefit from your help and experience
• Many of these hospitals can be difficult to find and contact, but don't give up
• Planning your elective can take as long as 6-8 months

Visa

• To enter Tanzania you will require a visa
• The easiest way to apply, is to download the appropriate form from your local Tanzanian Embassy website and return it by post (see bottom of page)
• Check you have the correct postal address before sending your passport (Feb 2005 the address on their website was incorrect)
• This will save you having to travel down to the Embassy
• A visa will cost you approximately £40 if travelling from the UK
• If travelling from another country, check with your local embassy

Flights

• If possible, fly direct
• Flight prices can be very variable but budget for ~£500
• If you are travelling at the height of the season it can be more expensive
• If you need connecting internal flights in Tanzania try to book these first and then arrange your international flights (this will help prevent you missing your connecting flights)
• Leave plenty of time between connecting flights as getting through customs can be slow
• Always carry an official letter with you from the Chief Medical Officer of the hospital you are visiting, this frequently helps if you are carrying medical equipment

Travel Insurance

• Make sure your insurance is comprehensive and includes medical evacuation if necessary

Health Advice

• Malaria is a considerable risk in many parts of Tanzania
• Your local doctor will advise you about the appropriate malaria prophylaxis to take, frequently you have to buy this on private prescription, which can be quite costly
• You are more than likely to get bitten by a mosquito on your elective - but if you are taking the appropriate prophylaxis try not to worry to much !!  (Your risk of catching malaria is greatly reduced...)
• Take plenty of long sleeve T-shirts and light weight trousers
• Avoid sitting around in the open after sunset - 'primetime for mosquito bites'
• Take insect repellent with you because it does work
• The higher the percentage of DEET the better the repellent (although there can be a risk of seizures)
• You will also need vaccinations like Yellow Fever, Typhoid etc. which can take about a month in total to complete and can cost upto ~£100
• The cost of vaccines can be variable - it may be worth shopping around
• Take your own medical kit of cannula's, needles, a giving set and gloves as these can come in handy in an emergency
• You may want to consider asking your doctor about taking some antibiotics with you

Security

• Be street wise - don't walk around late at night on your own
• Where possible share taxi's with friends
• Try and travel with others - single females should be especially careful
• Mobile phones do work in Tanzania but coverage is poor with some networks - worth investigating before you leave
• Don't take expensive jewellery or personal gadgets with you
• Don't keep all your money in one place (consider getting a money belt)
• Tanzanian Shillings & American dollars are useful currencies to have
• In rural areas cash is better than travellers cheques (you may have nowhere to cash them)
• Take photocopies of your passport and airline tickets with you, as well as leaving a copy with loved ones at home
• Make sure you know the number of your countries High Commission in Tanzania

 

When you visit Tanzania please write to us and let us know how you got on... If there is anything to add which might help others then please contact us.

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