PCEA KIKUYU HOSPITAL

Informationfor Elective and Placement Students

Please specify the exact date, month, and year youwish to schedule your elective or placement so that reservations can be made ina timely manner. Additionally, please remember to provide an evaluation formfrom your university. This will be completed by PCEA Kikuyu Hospital managementupon the conclusion of your elective term.

GeneralOverview

Founded in 1908 by missionaries of the Church ofScotland, PCEA Kikuyu Hospital has been managed by the Presbyterian Church ofEast Africa since 1956. The hospital is located in Thogoto, near Kikuyu town,approximately a 30-minute drive northwest of Nairobi.

OurServices and Facilities

The general hospital features four main wards: male,female, paediatric, and maternity, with an average inpatient population ofaround 100. Our comprehensive services include:

· Outpatient care, maternal and childhealth, and casualty (emergency services).

· A fully operational operating theatre, adental unit, and an Comprehensive Care Centre/ART programme.

· A dedicated Eye Unit providing highlyspecialized ophthalmic care across East Africa.

· An on-site orthopaedic rehabilitation unitwith an active surgical programme.

Healthcarein Kenya

There is no free healthcare in Kenya. Governmenthospitals, supported by taxes, provide 50% of the country's health services atnominal fees. Church-run hospitals provide approximately 40% of the nation'shealthcare and are widely recognized for delivering high-quality care ataffordable rates. The remaining 10% of services are provided by the private,for-profit sector.

While church hospitals cover about a fifth of theiroperational costs through donations, patient fees account for the majority ofincome. Consequently, PCEA Kikuyu Hospital relies heavily on partners, donors,and volunteers to keep patient fees to a minimum.

MedicalStaff and Student Involvement

Our medical team comprises full-time and part-timespecialists, including medical officers, internists, general surgeons,paediatricians, urologists, ENT specialists, gynaecologists, and gastroenterologists.The vast majority of our staff across all cadres are Kenyan professionals.

As an elective student, you will be expected to jointhe medical staff for daily ward rounds, clinical audits, and businessmeetings. Students are also invited to attend morning prayers, participate inoutpatient and casualty clinics, and assist in the operating theatres. Westrongly encourage students to assist with weekend duties, as reduced staffinglevels during these times often present greater opportunities for hands-on clinicalinvolvement and patient care.

CommonClinical Presentations

Students will encounter a variety of conditions,commonly including pneumonia, malaria, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and diarrhoealdiseases. We also manage chronic conditions and their complications, such asdiabetes, hypertension, and rheumatic heart disease. Frequent surgicalinterventions include caesarean sections, D&Cs, hysterectomies, and largebowel surgeries, alongside routine ophthalmic and orthopaedic procedures.

EXPECTATIONSFOR STUDENTS

HospitalPolicies and Cultural Standards

Students are required to respect the Christiantradition of the hospital and observe local cultural norms. PCEA KikuyuHospital is a strict no-smoking and alcohol-free campus.

DressCode and Weather Preparations

Dress standards in Kenya are conservative. Forclinical work in the wards, students should wear smart-casual attire (such asdresses, skirts, or a shirt and tie) along with a white lab coat. Please notethat laundry facilities on campus are manual (washing by hand), so please bringresilient, suitable clothing.

The hospital sits at an altitude of nearly 6,000 feet.While this significantly reduces the risk of malaria, it means the climate canget quite cold. Warm sweaters or jackets are essential, particularly during thecoolest months of July and August. Nighttime temperatures can drop below 10°C(50°F), despite our proximity to the equator. Strong, durable shoes areessential for navigating muddy paths during the rainy season, and a reliableumbrella is highly recommended (though one can be purchased locally).

Whatto Pack

· A reliable torch or flashlight.

· Lightweight medical reference books (e.g.,Oxford Handbook, Lecture Notes in Tropical Medicine, or relevant prescribingguides).

· Personal books, games, or eveningentertainment.

We advise students to leave high-value items at homeand secure comprehensive insurance for necessary equipment like cameras.

ElectiveDuration and Visas

The minimum duration for an elective attachment is 6 weeks.Students are expected to schedule any holiday travel or safaris outside of thisofficial placement period. Tourist visas for Kenya are typically valid for 3months, and extensions can generally be processed straightforwardly within thecountry.

PersonalExpenses

Students are responsible for all personal expenses,including local and international telecommunications. Please note that thehospital cannot facilitate international billing or collect calls for personaluse; we recommend securing a local SIM card or an international data plan uponarrival.

Paymentand Reservation Policies

Accommodation fees must be paid in full and in advanceto secure your reservation. Because rates are subject to variation due tocurrency fluctuations, we strongly advise confirming your placement dates andfinalizing your payment as early as possible.

Payments should be sent via international electronicfunds transfer (wire transfer) using the following banking details:

Healthand Safety Advisory