The Mount Meru Regional Hospital...

My placement will be in the Mount Meru Regional Hospital in Arusha. Mount Meru Regional Hospital is the main government hospital for a large area of northern Tanzania serving as a second level referral centre for all district hospitals and many private hospitals within Arusha and Manyara. The cost of consultation and treatment are largely subsidised by the Tanzanian government so patients are only required to pay a small fee. In addition to the doctors and nurses, there are 17 Medical Assistants, 12 Clinical Officers and 6 Nursing Assistants.

Mount Meru Regional Hospital is equipped to provide many services that are not readily available in other hospitals. These include a comprehensive laboratory unit, a simple ICU and an excellent mental health department.

My first rotation will be on the general medical wards.

This department is split into male and female wards. Infectious diseases, especially malaria, are common and there are often cases of hypertension, diabetes, diarrhoea and heart disease. A small number of HIV patients are cared for here too. There is a separate building catering primarily for TB and leprosy patients. Typical staff numbers on duty in the department are: 1 Medical Doctor 3 Medical Officers 2 Assistant Medical Officers 3 Principal Nursing Officers 4 Nursing Officers 6 Assistant Nurses