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
05
12
19
26
February
02
09
16
23
March
02
09
16
23
30
April
06
13
20
27
May
04
11
18
25
June
01
08
15
22
29
July
06
13
20
27
August
03
10
17
24
31
September
07
14
21
28
October
05
12
19
26
November
02
09
16
23
30
December
07
14
21
28
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
January
03
10
17
24
February
07
14
21
28
March
07
14
21
28
April
04
11
18
25
May
02
09
16
23
June
06
13
20
27
July
04
11
18
25
August
01
08
15
22
29
September
05
12
19
26
October
03
10
17
24
31
November
07
14
21
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
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Can I know more about the accommodation and food arrangements?
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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.
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Can vegetarians be accommodated?
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Yes – please do ensure that you inform the local team about your food preference and they can ensure that you are able to order the best food! Also, please do mention your specific food preference in the application form as well.
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Would I have free time during my program ? Can I do sightseeing during my program?
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Interns work for 5-6 hours in a day for 5 days a week depending on the program requirements. You will have the evenings and weekends free for you to explore in and around the city. During the weekends, you can take a safari to Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru National Park or the Nairobi National Park. You can also go on a short excursion and interact with the locals, learn about their cuisines and customs. In Nairobi, interns can visit Masai market, Bomas of Kenya, Giraffe center and Carnivore Restaurant.
We encourage our interns to travel. We have designed various weekend tours which can be booked under the ‘Add-on Tours’ section in your ‘My Account’. Your in-country coordinator will also help you book and organize the tours once you are in the country.
Eligibility and Preperation
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Who can apply for the program?
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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
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Are vaccinations or health checks required?
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Yes, students should consult their doctor or travel clinic for recommended vaccinations before travel.
Program and Learning Experience
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What kind of hospital/clinical experience will I get?
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Intern responsibilities vary based on their level of experience, qualifications, and medical training. Participants shadow and observe the medical and nursing staff in the placements. Basic assisting work is allowed depending your skill and confidence level and consent of the doctors and patients.
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Can I perform medical procedures?
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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.
Safety and Support
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What about medical facilities in case of an emergency?
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We partner with modern hospitals where English-speaking staff are available.In case of any emergency, the local team will provide all necessary support and assistance to you.
Travel and Logistics
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What are the recommended airlines to fly to Kenya?
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Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi is the busiest airport in East Africa and serves as the hub for international flights in that region. It is well connected with flights from major European, Middle Eastern and Asian cities. Kenya Airways,British Airways,Turkish Airlines,KLM Dutch Airlines,Swiss Air,Emirates,Etihad Airways and Brussels Airlines are some of the major airlines flying into Nairobi.
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Do I need a visa ?
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Is airport transfer included?
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All interns need to arrive in Nairobi on the mentioned program starting dates.Interns are picked up from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) by the in-country representative. Return airport drop can be arranged by the local team at additional charges. You can pay the charges when in country.
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How do I get around during the program?
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Interns in Nairobi use local public transport such as taxis for commuting between the accommodation and hospital placement. Majority of the participants use Uber for their daily commute to the hospital and accommodation.
