Clinical Electives in Africa

Ghana

Korle Bu Hospital, University of Ghana College of Health Sciences, Accra, Ghana

Established in 1962, University of Ghana Medical School (UGMS) was the first medical school in Ghana. In 1997, the Academic Board of the University endorsed proposals from UGMS to bring together the medical school, the school of public health, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, the school of allied health services, and the school of nursing together under one college. On December 11, 1999, the College of Health Sciences was established. The partnership between the University of Ghana College of Health Sciences and Yale School of Medicine began in 2015.

Students wishing to do an elective in Ghana have the option to do a 4- or 6-week rotation in one of the following areas: internal medicine, pediatrics, OBGYN, surgery, anesthesia, other options may be available.

Recent participants

2025

Nishita Pondugula

2024

Chidumebi Alim
Ellelan Degife
Mitchelle Matesva
Osman Moneer
Jamieson O’Marr

South Africa

Church of Scotland Hospital, KwaZulu Natal, Tugela Ferry, South Africa

Although TB is the leading cause of death among HIV-infected patients in South Africa, care of the two diseases has been separate, leading to fragmented patient care and suboptimal patient outcomes. Dr. Gerald Friedland has worked on projects integrating care for HIV and TB and this is the focus of collaborative operational research projects in KwaZulu Natal. In addition, the discovery of XDR TB has been a focus of a more recent investigation. While students wear protective gear to wear during clinical experiences at Tugela Ferry, students must consider that XDR TB is a potentially fatal disease. Any student who may be immune-compromised should not consider this site for a clinical rotation.

The surrounding area is hilly, mountainous, and very rural with one tarred road, dirt roads and paths, and humble family compounds. The site affords a genuine rural African medical experience.
Knowledge of ultrasound technology is recommended. Rotations in Tugela Ferry are 6 weeks. Electives: internal medicine

Recent participants

2025

Chaney Kalinich

Uganda

Mulago Hospital, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda

An affiliation between Yale School of Medicine and Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda, was established to place Yale attendings and residents at Mulago Hospital throughout the year. This is a bilateral exchange program includes Ugandan students and faculty also spending time on the Yale campus.

Students, who are funded through grants from the Office of Global Health Education, will observe on several inpatient clinical services at the hospital. The hospital is under-resourced, routine tests and procedures that would be available at Yale may not be able to be provided at Mulago hospital. The Ugandan physicians utilize history and physical exam skills to establish diagnoses and follow patient progress. Physical exam rounds by expert clinicians will help Yale students hone their own physical exam skills.

Medical students who do a clinical elective at Mulago will learn about the effects of the HIV epidemic on the Ugandan population. Many of the patients hospitalized at Mulago Hospital will have quite advanced presentation of illness, students should prepare themselves for the experience of the possibility of the higher mortality rate.

Language, history and cultural experiences will be provided through faculty lectures and interactions with the students. Students frequently utilize weekends to travel to other parts of the country. Rotations in Uganda are 6 weeks.