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Kenya

Medical Elective in Kenya

Highlights

  • Intern in medical clinics and hospital placements across suburban Nairobi
  • Support and observe doctors and nurses in daily clinical activities
  • Gain practical insight into Kenya’s healthcare system
  • Share accommodation with fellow medical interns in safe Nairobi suburbs
  • Explore Kenya on weekends — wildlife safaris, cultural tours, and more
  • Experience life in one of East Africa’s most dynamic cities
Medical Elective in Kenya with Med Trips

Overview

The Medical and Healthcare Elective in Kenya is designed to offer enthusiastic interns the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of underserved communities. Interns in this program work in a variety of healthcare settings, primarily medical clinics and hospitals located in and around suburban Nairobi. Whether you're a medical professional, a student, or an aspiring healthcare worker, this program is an excellent chance to contribute to the improvement of public health in one of East Africa's most vibrant cities.

During your program you will get the chance to help in a range of different departments as well as encountering different illnesses that you may not necessarily come in contact with back home.

Some of the major departments where you can get involved in the hospital placement include –

  • Dental

  • Burns Unit for Children

  • Accident and Emergency

  • Outpatient

  • Maternity

  • Gynecology and Obstetrics

  • Maternal and Child Health

  • Surgery - 3 times a week

  • General Wards

  • Internal Medicine

  • Critical Care Unit (CCU for HIV/Aids and TB Patients)

  • Counselling Unit

  • Pharmacy

  • Laboratory

Where will I be doing the Elective ?

We place medical and nursing interns for placements in Nairobi, facilitating opportunities for students and qualified professionals from around the world at different hospitals and clinic projects throughout the city. Majority of the placements are located in suburban Nairobi or in slum communities of Nairobi. The placements are a mixture of smaller hospitals and Level 3 and Level 4 District hospitals.

Your placement location will be assigned based on the availability and logistical factors at the time. Please note that transport to and from the project is not included in the program fee. Your local coordinator will assist you in suggesting the most convenient travel options. Generally interns take Uber taxis to the placement, the cost of which can be shared among the interns. We recommend budgeting around $5-$7 per day for transportation expenses.

Sample Placement Profile - Tigoni District Hospital

Tigoni Hospital is a Level 4 District Hospital located at Kiambu West district within the Limuru constituency. The hospital has a total of over 200 beds and cots for the inpatient and outpatient departments. Services offered at the hospital include antenatal services, caesarean section, immunisation, tuberculosis diagnosis and treatments, family planning, radiology services and antiretroviral therapy to mention just a few. The number of patients visiting the hospital can vary on a daily basis.

Medical Elective Placements

Med Trips provides a variety of elective placements tailored to the specific needs of students training in the medical field. These include:

  • Medical Electives for aspiring doctors and medical students

  • Nursing Electives for future nurses and healthcare practitioners

  • Midwifery Electives for students specializing in maternal and newborn care

  • Dental Electives for dental students looking to gain experience in dental department in hospital

These electives are specifically designed to meet the learning objectives of students in the medical field. Whether you are still in training or a recent graduate looking to broaden your skills, this program offers valuable hands-on experience in a real-world setting.

Med Trips team in the UK as well as the in-country team in Kenya can help complete any paperwork required, provide risk assessments and sign off on hours to ensure the placement complies with your university requirements.

By joining the Medical Elective Project in Kenya, you’ll not only help improve healthcare outcomes in underserved areas, but you'll also gain invaluable work experience that will enhance your professional development.


Intern Work Schedule

Intern Work Schedule

The general schedule for the interns in the program in Nairobi is as follows :-

  • Sunday - Arrival at the program destination
  • Monday - Orientation + introduction to the placement (commute + local staff + hospital staff + places to eat, etc.). An orientation session will be conducted by the local coordinator, covering topic areas; such as safety,culture, language, places to visit, behavior,food, and other suggestions about things to do in Kenya.
  • Tuesday to Fri - Volunteer work
  • Breakfast - 07:30 am onwards(provided at the accommodation)
  • Leave for the project - 08:00 am
  • Working hours at the placement - 09:00 to 04:00 pm
  • Lunch - 01:00 pm to 02:00 pm (volunteers need to manage lunch on their own)
  • Dinner - 07:30 pm  onwards (provided at the accommodation)

The same volunteer work schedule continues from the second week onwards

Weekends - Free to explore the city, and do activities such as :- 

  • Visit the elephant orphanage, giraffe center and Mamba village
  • Visit the local markets and buy souvenirs
  • Go for a safari
  • Spend time at Karura Forest in the city

For those inclined to travel further away for fun activities, one can go biking to Hell’s Gate National Park in Naivasha (1.5 hours from the accommodation), climb Mt. Longonot (1.5 hours from the accommodation), or visit Thompson Falls (3 hours from the accommodation). One could also go to Mombasa and experience sandy beaches on the weekends.

Note: Please note, the schedule may vary depending on the final placement allocation.


Intern Roles & Responsibilities

Intern Roles & Responsibilities

Intern responsibilities vary based on their level of experience, qualifications, and medical training. While the role is primarily observational, interns may be given the opportunity to assist with basic hands-on tasks when appropriate. Although hands-on work cannot be guaranteed—since it depends on your skill level, confidence, patient consent, and the discretion of the medical staff—past interns have supported activities such as taking vital signs, assisting during rounds, and observing or assisting in areas such as maternal health, surgery, laboratory work, counselling, and diagnostic testing.

Med Trips offers placements for students at all stages of their medical journey—from early Pre-Med students seeking foundational exposure to graduates looking to strengthen their clinical skills. This flexibility allows interns to build experience, expand their understanding of global health, and develop practical competencies at different points in their training.

For medical students, observing procedures, supporting daily clinical routines, and engaging with local healthcare teams provides valuable learning opportunities that go far beyond the classroom. These placements also offer a first-hand understanding of how healthcare systems operate in low-resource settings, giving interns a broader and more global perspective on medicine.


Placement Requirements

Placement Requirements

Interns must be 18 years or older at the time of joining the placement. Participants should have an open mind, flexible attitude, and enthusiasm for working in a new environment. A clean criminal background check, CV/resume, passport copy, and relevant academic documents/credentials must be provided prior to joining.Eligible participants include pre-med, medical, nursing, midwifery, dental students, and CNAs. All interns are required to bring their own scrubs or lab coats to wear during their placement.

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Living

Living

Airport Transfer
Interns are picked up from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi by the local coordinator or representative. Those interns who are arriving overland or are already in Kenya will be picked up at a meeting point in Nairobi decided beforehand. Nairobi is a major hub for airlines in East Africa and has good international flight connections.

Accommodation
Interns in Nairobi are provided accommodation in the Lower Kabete area. The area is located around 20–25 minutes from Westlands and Parklands, which are famous for good restaurants and shopping areas. The CBD (Central Business District) is around 30 minutes away by car.

Interns stay in a gated apartment complex in which we use 4–5 different apartments for interns. The intern apartments are located on different floors such as the ground floor, third floor and fifth floor. The rooms in the apartments are shared rooms with usually four participants sharing one room with two bunk beds. There are some private units also available in the apartment complex for any intern interested in having a private room.

Some of the facilities available are hot showers, microwave, induction top, refrigerator and WiFi internet. There is no air conditioning in the apartments as it is not required in Nairobi as such.

Interns purchase their bottled water on their own. It can be purchased easily from the local market at walking distance from the apartment complex.

For Laundry, interns usually hand wash their clothes or alternatively give clothes to a Laundromat located not far from the intern accommodation at walking distance.

Orientation
An orientation about your program will be provided by the local coordinator in Nairobi. Areas like safety, locations, project, transportation and weekend trips are covered in the orientation. During the orientation day, the coordinator will also give you information about the nearest market, help you in getting money exchanged and get a local sim card from the market.

Meals
Interns are provided with 2 meals (Breakfast and Dinner) on weekdays and three meals during the weekends. For breakfast, interns are given supplies such as bread, eggs, butter/margarine spread, fruits, tea and coffee. Interns need to cook breakfast on their own.

Lunch is not provided/included in your fee and interns usually take a packed sandwich or fruits to the placement or have food at/near the project.

For dinner, food is cooked by the caretaker and cook at the house, and meals generally include dishes like lentils, mandazi, chapatis, spaghetti, pilao, chips, githeri (maize and beans) and fruits. In case you are allergic to any particular item or have a particular requirement, feel free to inform the coordinators.

Interns also purchase supplies from the supermarkets and take with them packed food cooked on their own to the project.

Local Transportation
Interns prefer to use mostly Uber or Bolt for their commute to the projects and local malls and places of interest in Nairobi.

During Your Free Time
The majority of the interns go on safari trips on the weekends. Interns usually take the two-day or the extended three-day safari. While in Nairobi, you can explore the different places of interest in the city. The city has so much to offer and there are a lot of places to see and explore during free time. Places like Masai Market, Bomas of Kenya, Giraffe Centre and Karura Forest are visited by interns during free time and weekends.

Interns are also free to plan quick getaways and explore Kenya. We also arrange programs for groups on safari to Masai Mara, Amboseli National Park and Lake Nakuru National Park or the Nairobi National Park. The costs for weekend trips are extra.


Dates

Dates

January

04

11

18

25

February

01

08

15

22

March

01

08

15

22

29

April

05

12

19

26

May

03

10

17

24

June

07

14

21

28

July

05

12

19

26

August

02

09

16

23

30

September

06

13

20

27

October

04

11

18

25

November

01

08

15

22

29

December

06

13

20

27


Costs

Duration
Program Fee
Choose your currency
1 Week $499
2 Weeks $699
3 Weeks $899
4 Weeks $1099
5 Weeks $1299
6 Weeks $1499
7 Weeks $1699
8 Weeks $1899
Extra Week $200

Please Note: An application fee of is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment. A 5% international banking fee is charged for credit card payments of program fee in USD/AUD.

What are you Paying for?

  • 24 hrs Assistance and support from Staff
  • Comprehensive Pre- Departure Information and support from Med Trips team
  • Airport Pickup from Nairobi Airport
  • Orientation
  • Food - 2 Meals a Day
  • Accommodation at Intern House
  • Assistance in booking weekend safari trips and other tours
  • Medical Insurance
  • Certificate of Participation(On Request)

What's NOT included?

  • Airfare
  • Lunch
  • Visa Fee
  • Return Airport Drop(Can be arranged at extra cost)
  • Local Transportation
  • Vaccinations
  • Weekend Safari trips and excursions

FAQ's

Accommodation and Living

Can I know more about the accommodation and food arrangements?

Can vegetarians be accommodated?

Would I have free time during my program ? Can I do sightseeing during my program?

Eligibility and Preperation

Who can apply for the program?

Are vaccinations or health checks required?

Program and Learning Experience

What kind of hospital/clinical experience will I get?

Can I perform medical procedures?

Safety and Support

What about medical facilities in case of an emergency?

Travel and Logistics

What are the recommended airlines to fly to Kenya?

Do I need a visa ?

Is airport transfer included?

How do I get around during the program?


Reviews

Reviews

Other placements in Africa

Nairobi, Kenya

Medical Elective in Kenya

Midwifery, Pre Medical, Physiotherapy, Nursing, Dentistry, Medical
18 years+

The Medical and Healthcare Elective in Kenya is designed to offer enthusiastic interns the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of underserved communities. Interns in this program work in a variety of healthcare settings, primarily medical clinics and hospitals located in and around suburban Nairobi. Whether you're a medical professional, a student, or an aspiring healthcare worker, this program is an excellent chance to contribute to the improvement of public health in one of East Africa's most vibrant cities.

During your program you will get the chance to help in a range of different departments as well as encountering different illnesses that you may not necessarily come in contact with back home.

Some of the major departments where you can get involved in the hospital placement include –

  • Dental

  • Burns Unit for Children

  • Accident and Emergency

  • Outpatient

  • Maternity

  • Gynecology and Obstetrics

  • Maternal and Child Health

  • Surgery - 3 times a week

  • General Wards

  • Internal Medicine

  • Critical Care Unit (CCU for HIV/Aids and TB Patients)

  • Counselling Unit

  • Pharmacy

  • Laboratory

Where will I be doing the Elective ?

We place medical and nursing interns for placements in Nairobi, facilitating opportunities for students and qualified professionals from around the world at different hospitals and clinic projects throughout the city. Majority of the placements are located in suburban Nairobi or in slum communities of Nairobi. The placements are a mixture of smaller hospitals and Level 3 and Level 4 District hospitals.

Your placement location will be assigned based on the availability and logistical factors at the time. Please note that transport to and from the project is not included in the program fee. Your local coordinator will assist you in suggesting the most convenient travel options. Generally interns take Uber taxis to the placement, the cost of which can be shared among the interns. We recommend budgeting around $5-$7 per day for transportation expenses.

Sample Placement Profile - Tigoni District Hospital

Tigoni Hospital is a Level 4 District Hospital located at Kiambu West district within the Limuru constituency. The hospital has a total of over 200 beds and cots for the inpatient and outpatient departments. Services offered at the hospital include antenatal services, caesarean section, immunisation, tuberculosis diagnosis and treatments, family planning, radiology services and antiretroviral therapy to mention just a few. The number of patients visiting the hospital can vary on a daily basis.

Medical Elective Placements

Med Trips provides a variety of elective placements tailored to the specific needs of students training in the medical field. These include:

  • Medical Electives for aspiring doctors and medical students

  • Nursing Electives for future nurses and healthcare practitioners

  • Midwifery Electives for students specializing in maternal and newborn care

  • Dental Electives for dental students looking to gain experience in dental department in hospital

These electives are specifically designed to meet the learning objectives of students in the medical field. Whether you are still in training or a recent graduate looking to broaden your skills, this program offers valuable hands-on experience in a real-world setting.

Med Trips team in the UK as well as the in-country team in Kenya can help complete any paperwork required, provide risk assessments and sign off on hours to ensure the placement complies with your university requirements.

By joining the Medical Elective Project in Kenya, you’ll not only help improve healthcare outcomes in underserved areas, but you'll also gain invaluable work experience that will enhance your professional development.

Arusha, Tanzania

Medical and Nursing Elective in Tanzania - Arusha

Midwifery, Pre Medical, Physiotherapy, Nursing, Dentistry, Medical, Radiology
18 years+

Interning in the Medical and Nursing Elective in Tanzania - Arusha is a great opportunity for all pre-med, medical, and nursing students to learn about the healthcare systems in Tanzania and contribute meaningfully to the well-being of local communities.

Placements are provided in hospitals located in and around the city of Arusha. This program is particularly suited for those interns looking for international hands-on experience and overseas medical exposure. Medical professionals are also welcome to be part of this project and contribute as much as they can. Work will vary depending on the experiences and skills of individual interns.

Med Trips’ medical elective provides an exceptional opportunity for individuals seeking to enhance their careers through a meaningful internship experience. Participants will have the chance to work in a variety of departments, including emergency medicine, pediatrics, and general medicine, allowing them to gain diverse exposure that deepens their medical knowledge and hones their practical skills.

Throughout the elective, students collaborate closely with experienced healthcare professionals, participating in daily routines and gaining firsthand insight into the challenges and rewards of working in a medical setting. This hands-on experience is invaluable for anyone looking to build a strong foundation in healthcare.

We also arrange Dentistry Elective placements in Tanzania. Dentistry interns work in the dental department of hospital placements in Arusha. The placements are suitable for dental students looking to do a Dental Elective Program in Africa and gain valuable knowledge and experience by working under the supervision of dentists and dental assistants.

The local team in Arusha also organizes community outreach events in local communities, providing healthcare services to those who lack access to proper medical assistance. Most of these outreach events are conducted in village communities when there are a sufficient number of medical interns in the program. A minimum number of participants is required to carry out community outreach activities.

In addition to professional growth opportunities, participants will also have the chance to explore one of the world’s most captivating countries. From breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural heritage to vibrant communities, this program offers a unique blend of personal enrichment and professional development.

Sample Placement Profile – St. Elizabeth Hospital, Arusha

St. Elizabeth Hospital, commonly referred to as "Kwa Father Babu" in Arusha, is situated in the Ngarenaro suburb. As a Council Designated Hospital, St. Elizabeth serves as a referral center for local dispensaries and health centers within the Arusha municipality. Other hospitals also direct patients to St. Elizabeth for specialized services that they may not provide.

St. Elizabeth is one of the three largest hospitals in Arusha, offering both inpatient and outpatient services.

Departments at St. Elizabeth Hospital

  • Outpatient and Emergency Medicine

  • Internal Medicine Ward

  • Surgical Ward

  • Ophthalmology

  • Pediatrics and Neonatology

  • Intensive Care Unit

  • Pharmacy

  • Radiology Department

  • Theatre

  • Dental

  • Physiotherapy

  • Laboratory

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology

Interns will work alongside hospital staff, assisting during ward rounds and in the theater, and shadowing nurses and doctors in various clinics. Depending on your goals, you can rotate through different departments and clinics. Each participant is paired with an experienced supervisor who can provide guidance. Being part of the healthcare network in Arusha allows us to connect you with knowledgeable mentors in your field of interest.

Please note that this is a sample placement, and interns may be placed in other hospitals as well in Arusha. Our interns work in multiple hospital placements in and around the city.

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