To Africa warmly welcomes medical students and interns from a diverse range of specializations, including obstetrics, gynecology, anesthetics, pediatrics, emergency medicine, and general practice. Participants have the opportunity to work alongside local healthcare teams—consisting of doctors, nurses, midwives, and other professionals—to exchange knowledge, gain hands-on experience, and contribute to impactful healthcare initiatives.
In obstetrics and gynecology, significant efforts include establishing cervical cancer screening programs, reducing unnecessary caesarean sections, refining surgical techniques (e.g., opting for low transverse incisions over classical ones), and improving surgical safety, infection control measures, and patient triage systems (e.g., introducing the African Maternal Early Warning Scoring system).
In anesthetics, key contributions involve enhancing surgical safety through the adoption of the WHO Safe Surgery Checklist, advancing techniques such as spinal anesthesia, and strengthening infection prevention protocols. Participants have also assisted in setting up high-dependency units, renovating operating rooms, and conducting emergency obstetric care training. Although many placements are centered in maternity operating theaters, interns and students may also support general surgical operations and engage in community health initiatives.
In pediatrics, students and interns receive training in essential procedures such as neonatal resuscitation, establishing neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), improving infection prevention measures, and streamlining pediatric triage processes. Most placements occur in hospital settings, particularly in pediatric and NICU departments, but participants also support outpatient clinics, emergency rooms, and broader community health projects.
Students and interns actively participate in resuscitation procedures, infection control practices, and the management of trauma cases. This hands-on exposure provides valuable experience in handling acute medical situations in challenging environments.