Hi, my name is Hannah and I am a 4th year medical student at the University of Sheffield, but originally from the West Midlands. I have been on my elective in Kenya, where I spent six weeks at AIC Kijabe Hospital, through the support of Africa Inland Mission (AIM).

I spent the first two weeks of my time in the Emergency Department, which was a huge contrast from the placement I had just completed in the Emergency Department at Barnsley Hospital back in the UK! The main difference was the variety of patients I was seeing - from newborns to the elderly, with seizures, heart failure, sepsis, hypoxia, meningitis, cancer complications, severe injuries from road traffic accidents, just to name a few. The patients I saw were much more unwell and in need of emergency care than I had ever seen in the UK, and I was able to learn through these difficult cases alongside the local medical students.

In some ways, the hospital systems and resources were very well established, with a reliable computer system for all note keeping and prescribing, brand new ultrasound and ECG machines in the department, and easy access to X-rays, CT scans, and blood tests. However, there were often what felt like unnecessary delays or failures in simple procedures such as cannula insertions. Many of the delays were caused by a long process of ‘financial clearing’ that needed to happen before the patient's care could continue, often causing the patient to be kept in the Emergency Department for more than 24 hours before they could go home or be admitted to a ward. As a private hospital, the patients relied on insurance cover or paying in cash, which was often a struggle for their families. This was one of the hardest things to see, as patients would have to turn down the vital care they needed because they couldn’t afford it, which is something I had never had to think about for patients in the UK.

The remaining four weeks of my elective were spent in the palliative care department. This was part of the hospital’s new and well-renowned cancer centre, where we held an outpatient clinic mostly for those receiving cancer treatment, but occasionally with other life-limiting conditions too. This is where I really gained the most confidence with having the responsibility of leading appointments and deciding a management plan. It was great to see how much of a difference I could make alongside this small team, to improve people’s lives. Many patients were suffering with a lot of pain and we were able to explore different options to treat this. Another common symptom was the psychological distress that accompanies a difficult diagnosis such as terminal cancer. It was a great learning experience for me to counsel patients through their struggles, and this was a unique opportunity to also discuss their spiritual needs and offer support as a fellow Christian. One moment that stands out was at the end of a very long appointment with a young lady who had just been diagnosed with cancer, and in severe pain and struggling with her mental health as a result of this. I was able to share scripture from the Bible about the hope that Jesus Christ gives us, and to pray together for peace and strength.

I learnt a lot about the local culture and customs with the help of my Kenyan colleagues and housemates. I enjoyed the local food, particularly chapati and mandazi, and of course I quickly learnt to appreciate the chai breaks throughout the working day! Outside of the hospital, I spent time with other missionary families and exploring the local area, including hiking a nearby dormant volcano to admire the views of the Great Rift Valley, or cycling through the National Park alongside the amazing Kenyan wildlife! I also attended the local AIC church, which was a vibrant community who loved to worship God and serve Him in all aspects of life. I really felt encouraged by their passion to share the gospel with those around them, and to always give God the glory for all He has given us.

Another highlight of my time in Kijabe was singing with the praise and worship team in the hospital’s weekly chapel service. This amazing community welcomed me warmly and encouraged me through the challenges of learning new songs in Swahili! It became an important part of my week, dedicated to worshipping the Lord and committing our work to Him through prayer and fellowship. The opportunity to centre my work around serving and worshipping God was one of the things I most valued from this whole experience.

I am incredibly grateful to Medical Mission Network for their financial support and prayer, without which this trip would not have been possible. I have learnt a lot of medical knowledge and skills, but also been inspired by AIC Kijabe Hospital’s mission to provide “healthcare to God’s glory”, which is something I hope to live by for many years to come.