Adventure Alternative

Medical Electives in Kenya, Tanzania & Nepal

4 weeks minimum - year round - fully staffed and complete package offered

In A Nutshell

We operate in several areas of Kenya, Tanzania and Nepal, offering medical placements to students interested in combining their elective with the experience of differing lifestyles, cultures and medical treatment in developing countries.

We integrate our medical students with the community and provide security and support through the very strong network of representatives and staff that we have in Kenya, Tanzania and Nepal.

We set up all the arrangements with the hospital or clinic and provide strong staff back-up to introduce you to life in East Africa or Nepal, and assist with your working routine. We provide accommodation, transport and all the facilities you will need, and you also receive an allowance in local currency for your daily food and living costs. Most electives last six weeks and can be done at any time of the year.

The Medical Elective Programme - what it’s all about

The concept is to bring medical students to Kenya, Tanzania and Nepal as part of their ongoing studies at University or their Professional Development Plan.
The student’s experience is as well rounded as possible and there is safety and access to good supervision, staff back-up and integration into the local community. Our priorities are:

1) To see a range of conditions which you are unlikely to have seen in practise in Europe and to offer a professional package with excellent back-up and options.

2) To gain invaluable experience in prioritising with limited resources.

3) To be involved with communities in planning and developing health
promotion programmes, allowing multi-disciplinary team work and leadership skills.

4) To develop personal, financial and organisational skills, within a broad ecological criteria. Remaining sensitive to environmental, social and cultural requirements.

5) To be part of a programme that increases the profile of health care in the community. To understand  the psychological implications of HIV, hepatitis and other socio-economic problems.

All of these areas have a real need for multi-disciplinary health care specialists and doctors.

The regions where we currently operate are -

Kenya –
Siaya, Western Kenya
Nairobi
Naivasha, Rift Valley

Tanzania –
Arusha
Moshi

 Nepal –
Kathmandu

Click here to read more about the clinical experience, the regions and general
information about each one of these clinics and hospitals.

Staffing and Tourism Policy

Our staff are many and all of them are involved in our charity Moving Mountains,

which we set up as a charitable side to the company Adventure Alternative. We promote pro-poor tourism, invest in the local economy, and have strong principles of responsible tourism. We hope you will see how a charity is run and get involved. We look after many street kids and assist with many clinics and schools. For a lot of visitors to these countries it is the first time they have seen this sort of work on the ground and we are keen for people to experience this as part of the whole experience of working and living in Kenya, Tanzania and Nepal.

Kelly Kioki and Rosie Gathirimu are the directors of our company in Kenya, Africampers, and both are also Trustees of our NGO in Kenya, called Moving Mountains.  Between them they look after all the projects that we support around Kenya on our behalf. They have been involved with Moving Mountains since childhood, and have now been employed by Adventure Alternative for many years, they are both very sociable and friendly. Working with them is Caroline Ngatha who was also supported by Moving Mountains and is now a qualified nurse in Kenya. She now looks after all our medical students in Kenya.  She will accompany you to your elective location and assist you to get settled in.  She will introduce you to the representatives in each area and also to the doctors who you will be working with at the hospitals and clinics. She also works at Ushirika Clinic in Nairobi. We have similar staffing in all the countries and regions where we work.

Cost for Medical Elective:

The price includes:
The cost of your placement at the clinic/hospital plus all supervision
Processing of documents
Transport to your place of work and to/from the airport
Our Kenyan or Nepalese staff and equipment
Accommodation in any of our houses or accommodation
Food, electricity, gas
Kenyan or Tanzanian, Nepalese and UK administration

If doing the Trek and Medical Elective in Nepal then the following is also included:
All cost for your hike including permits, porters, guides, cooks, food, accommodation, all group equipment, staff – wages, insurance, equipment and medical

Excludes:
Vaccinations and anti malarial tablets estimate £100
Visa £30
Airfare estimate £500 - £650 for either Nairobi, Kathmandu or Kilimanjaro International airport.
Insurance estimate £70
Weekend visits away are at your own cost
Spending Money for gifts, phone calls, email etc