Elective Site - Malawi, Africa
For several years, staff physicians and residents from Contra Costa Family Medicine Residency have worked as volunteer clinicians at Nkhoma Hospital. We have a working relationship with the hospital to provide clinical support where needed, and training where appropriate.
Nkhoma Hospital is a well-established 220-bed facility providing care for over 100 years in Central Malawi, 50 kilometers south of the capital of Lilongwe. It is part of a larger Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) Synod Health Department, which includes the hospital, 10 health centers in Central Malawi, Nkhoma College of nursing, a primary school, and multiple related health structures.
The hospital has Pediatric, Medicine, Surgery, and Labor & Delivery wards, along with operating rooms, outpatient clinics and specialty clinics including tuberculosis, HIV, and one of the country's premier Ophthalmology departments. It serves over 65,000 people in the surrounding rural area, but because of its reputation for quality care, they serve patients from all over Malawi and surrounding countries.
Elective: Residents in good academic standing may apply to spend 4-5 weeks at this clinical site. Depending on the needs, residents may be working on the medical ward, pediatric ward, surgical ward, maternity ward, or some combination thereof, but responsibilities typically include:
- Daily rounding and inpatient care on the ward
- Weekend rounding or call as needed
- Morning report and hospital training activities
- Surgical assist as needed and where appropriate
- Supporting other projects such as public health and education around the Nkhoma campus
For more information on Nkhoma hospital: