Submitted by Aliyah Bennett on the 2020 winter session study abroad program in Kenya and Tanzania sponsored by the School of Nursing…
My first week of my study abroad was spent getting acclimated in Tanzania. Because this is a nursing trip, the mornings were spent at the clinical locations. The focus of this trip is Labor and Delivery. The first few days, we had orientation and group presentations. The orientation was conducted by the EDU AFRICA staff and this included an introduction to Swahili. After our lesson in Swahili, we went to one of the busiest local markets to try and negotiate prices of goods with the locals. This was such an interesting experience. The markets are full of bustling business and scents of dried sardines, fresh fruits, and vegetables float through the air. Children stand at stalls trying to sell produce and small babies are wrapped tightly to their mothers. Cars and motorbikes squeeze their way through the small aisles and crowd of people. We purchased a few items like avocados, rice and beans, a pineapple, and watermelon. All of the food we purchased, we donated to the local girls’ centers.
The next few days were spent in the three clinical locations: Mt. Meru Hospital, Levolosi Clinic, and Ngarenaro Clinic. My first days at Mt. Meru were in the medical department and Labor and Delivery. My first day in the medical department, was relatively slow. We did the rounds with the intern doctors and learned a little bit about each patient and why they were there. We were allowed to take the blood pressures of some patients and draw up some medications.
Once rounds were complete, we got to talk with the intern doctors. It was interesting and disheartening to speak with them. They explained that they go to medical school right after they graduate high school and that it’s a five year program. They also told us that it is about $4,000 USD for a five year medical degree. We told them how different things are in the United States and how expensive schooling is and they looked at us in astonishment. It was disheartening when we asked the one intern doctor if he liked being a doctor and he sternly replied “no”. He was explaining that he feels like he cannot help his patients and that his job is emotionally draining. He explained how patients come into the hospital very sick and they need specific medications, CAT scans, or to be referred to a specialist. But, each of these tools for assessment and proper diagnosis cost the patients and their families money out of pocket, and most of them cannot afford it. He wants to help his patients, but because they cannot afford it, they often die. This was very difficult to hear because our healthcare system is very different in the United States. It is routine to give our patients medications, CAT scans, and access to specialists even if they cannot afford the treatment upon arrival. The intern doctor then explained that he couldn’t do this job forever and he will pursue his passion in marketing when he’s done being a doctor. He told us that he does enjoy having the skills to help people in his community.
The following days in Labor and Delivery were nothing like the first one in the medical department. The first morning in Labor and Delivery, I assisted with two vaginal deliveries and completed two vaginal checks on expecting mothers (I could feel the baby’s head during one check). I also did a urine test, wellness baby checks, and antepartum checks on expecting mothers. Antepartum checks include measuring the fundal height, measuring the belly circumference (these two measurements can provide the estimated weight for the baby), feeling that the baby is in the cephalic position or head down, and listening to the baby’s heartbeat. We also check the mother’s blood pressure and look for signs of edema and anemia. Lastly, the nurse allowed me to deliver the placenta or afterbirth after one delivery. The mornings at the hospital and clinics were busy and hands-on. We struggled with the language barrier, but student nurses helped us talk to the patients and the head nurses. I was happy to be able to do so much and be so helpful because a lot of the things I did, we would not be permitted to do in the United States as students.
The afternoons were full of cultural enrichment activities. We traveled to Shanga Gift & Workshop, which is a place that hires people with disabilities to create different souvenirs. They sell hand blown glass, personalized paintings, handmade blankets, and jewelry. We also traveled to watch a traditional African dance and drum performance that we were able to participate in. We also shopped at the Maasai Market which is a local market with vendors selling handmade jewelry, beautiful paintings, clothing, and wooden decorations. The first week of my study abroad was busy, hectic, and culturally enriching, I am blessed to have this opportunity to provide medical care to people in Tanzania.
