Healthcare Challenges in South Africa, Cape Town

  South Africa

• Cape Town: 
Cape Town (Kaapstad)

Term: Fall, Spring, Summer, Throughout the year, Winter 
Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: Every month, throughout the year

Description: Experience first-hand the healthcare challenges facing South Africa, where, under the Apartheid regime, the vast majority of people had limited or non-existent healthcare until the 1990s. Since then, South Africa's health care system has made great strides under majority rule, especially in its efforts to reach underserved commuities. Today, South Africa has emerged as a critical battleground for the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

CFHI's program in Cape Town, South Africa offers students a unique opportunity to observe alongside healthcare professionals in an idyllic setting surrounded by Table Mountain in one of South Africa's most beautiful cities. Participants will get an opportunity to understand how the health care system has dealt with a public health crisis that has fundamentally altered the state's social and economic fabric.

This CFHI South Africa program will allow senior level clinical students to rotate alongside physicians at Victoria Hospital, located in the southern suburbs of Cape Town in Wynberg; pre-medical students will be able to rotate in a variety of community clinics associated with the Eerste RiverHospital in the Cape Flats; nursing students will rotate in Mowbray Maternity Hospital in the Mowbray suburbs; and students in the first years of health sciences training will rotate through GF Jooste hospital. This program offers students a unique educational experience as they follow patients through their treatments and observe the entire healthcare team during the program month. (Please see CFHI website for more information).

Highlights:    
* Clinical Rotation/Academic Credit Assistance
* Orientation & Coordinators
* Accommodations
* Communications
* Local Transportation
   
Clinical Rotations:
CFHI's rotations are designed to offer you clinical experience relevant to your level of medical education, much like what you would experience during a rotation in the United States. The program includes the following educational aspects:

* Pre-trip orientation materials & web conference opportunities
* Orientation upon arrival, including cultural adjustment exercises
* Weekly meetings with Medical Director and Local Coordinator
* Clinical rotations Monday-Friday, except holidays or work stoppages, working with a local physician who has opted to participate in CFHI as a teaching preceptor
* Information sessions that highlight the health care system in that country, common cases you will encounter and other site-specific information
* Post-trip debrief materials & other on-going alumni activities/services

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Qualifications:
* This program is open to Native English speakers
* This program is open to participants who are 21 or over at the time of participation.
* We accept students of all nationalities with interest in international health and relevant educational background. The Cape Town program has specific eligibility requirements depending on clinical location as described below.

Victoria Hospital
Participants may be any of the following:

* Medical Residents, MD & DO
* Medical Students, MD & DO 3-4
* Medical Students, 5-6 (UK)
* Senior level Pre-Medical Students
* Final Year Physicians Assistants Students

Eerste River Community Health Clinics
Participants may be any of the following:

* Medical Residents, MD & DO
* Medical Students, MD & DO 1-2
* Senior level Pre-Medical Students
* Post-bacc pre-medical students
* Gap year pre-medical students
* Graduate nursing students
* Nursing Students
* MPH Students
* Physicians Assistants Students

Mowbray Maternity Hospital
Participants may be any of the following:

* Nursing students
* Registered Nurses
* Certified Nurse Midwifery students
* Certified Nurse Midwives

GF Jooste Hospital
Participants may be any of the following:

* Medical Residents, MD & DO
* Medical Students, MD & DO 1-2
* Medical Students, MD & DO 3-4
* Senior level Pre-Medical Students
* Post-bacc pre-medical students
* Gap year pre-medical students
* Graduate nursing students
* Nursing Students
* MPH Students
* Physicians Assistants Students
* Naturopathic students

If you do not fit into one of these categories, please contact us to see if you would be eligible to apply.

Cost in US$: Approx. 2,000 for 4 weeks

Credit Available: yes

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 21 and over

This Program is open to American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to South Africa Independently

Scholarships are Available. As available-- see CFHI website.

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Child Family Health International's Mission Statement: Child Family Health International (CFHI) is a nonprofit that builds and strengthens sustainable healthcare services for underserved communities worldwide. CFHI conducts global health service-learning programs for medical, pre-medical, nursing, PA, MPH, and other health science students. CFHI supports local communities worldwide through these global health education programs, medical supply donations, as well as other community initiatives to advance quality healthcare for all.

Year Founded: 1993