What It’s Like to Intern in a Referral Hospital in Coastal Kenya

Inside the Clinical and Cultural Experience at Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital

When most students picture their clinical internship, they imagine rounds in air-conditioned hospitals, long hours of passive observation, and structured shadowing roles. Interning in a public referral hospital in Coastal Kenya, however, delivers something entirely different — something real, raw, and remarkably transformative.

This article takes you inside the day-to-day experience of interning at Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital (CGTRH) in Mombasa, Kenya — a bustling, high-volume hospital that serves as the largest public referral facility in the region. It’s one of Go Elective’s flagship partner hospitals, offering immersive learning for pre-med, medical, nursing, pre-PA, and public health students.

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Welcome to CGTRH: The Heart of Coastal Healthcare

Located in the port city of Mombasa, CGTRH is a 700+ bed public hospital serving over 3 million people from across Kenya’s coastal region and neighboring counties.

As a student intern here, you’re not in the periphery — you’re embedded in a real teaching hospital, learning alongside Kenyan medical students, interns, and clinical officers in departments that include:

• Pediatrics and Neonatology
• General Surgery and Trauma
• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Internal Medicine
• Emergency and Casualty
• Outpatient and HIV Clinics

The sheer patient volume and diversity of cases mean that every day presents new learning opportunities. From advanced malaria and tuberculosis to surgical emergencies and complicated maternal deliveries.

The First Day: Orientation and Department Placement

Your first day starts with a Go Elective in-country orientation, followed by a guided introduction to the hospital. You’ll meet:

• The Department Head or supervising consultant
• Kenyan medical students and interns in your rotation
• Assigned clinical mentors, who guide your daily activities

Interns choose their preferred specialties (or rotate weekly) based on interest and program length. Most students start with internal medicine or pediatrics, then shift to surgery, OB/GYN, or emergency care.

What a Typical Day Looks Like

Here’s a general structure for a 3–4 week placement at CGTRH:

7:30 AM – 8:30 AM: Morning Report and Ward Rounds

• Join doctors and interns for patient updates and handover
• Participate in bedside rounds, listen to case discussions
• Ask questions and take notes under supervision
  
  

9:00 AM – 1:00 PM: Clinical Department Rotations

• Observe and assist with wound care, basic vitals, or procedures
• Sit in on consultations and diagnostic discussions
• Watch ultrasounds, C-sections, or surgical cases (depending on your rotation)
  
  

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM: Break and Lunch

• Eat at the intern house
• Debrief with peers or plan weekend excursions
  
  

2:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Academic or Practical Sessions

• Go-Elective organizes debriefs/ Global health seminars, Swahili lessons, mentor Q&As, or skill-building sessions
• Optional patient chart reviews or attending outreach clinics
  

The beauty of interning at CGTRH is flexibility. You’ll work with mentors who adjust responsibilities to your academic background and confidence level.

What You’ll Actually Learn

This isn’t passive shadowing. You’ll walk away with:

• Firsthand exposure to tropical and infectious diseases
• An understanding of resource-limited healthcare systems
• The ability to observe clinical decisions when diagnostics are minimal
• Comfort working across language and cultural barriers
• A deep appreciation for public healthcare and interdisciplinary teamwork

You may even assist with non-invasive tasks under supervision — like patient intake, vital signs, or assisting nurses during rounds — depending on hospital policies and your level of training.

Challenges You Should Be Ready For

• High patient loads: It’s not uncommon for a single ward to house 30+ patients
• Resource constraints: You’ll witness the reality of working with limited supplies
• Emotional intensity: Critical cases, long queues, and underfunded systems can be overwhelming
• Cultural differences: Patient communication may be indirect or family-led

But these are also the factors that make your internship more meaningful — and often life-changing.

Beyond the Hospital: Living in Mombasa

When you're not in scrubs, you're in one of Kenya’s most vibrant cities. Mombasa blends Swahili, Arab, and Indian cultures, and offers:

• White-sand beaches just minutes from the city
• Historic sites like Fort Jesus and Old Town
• Dhow cruises, local spice markets, and Swahili cuisine
• Weekend trips to Diani Beach, Shimba Hills, or Tsavo National Park
  
  

Go Elective’s intern house is located in a safe area, close to the hospital and within reach of cafes, gyms, and coastal attractions. All accommodations include:

• Shared rooms with other interns
• Daily meals (breakfast and dinner)
• On-site support and orientation staff
• In-country transport to and from CGTRH

Student Reflections

"CGTRH was nothing like what I imagined. It was better. The doctors were welcoming, and every day felt like medical school in real time."
— Rebecca M., Pre-Med Student, USA

"I assisted in the maternity ward and witnessed six births in one day. The learning was intense, but I wouldn’t trade that experience for anything."
— Jacob S., Nursing Intern, UK

"Being in a referral hospital showed me how much can be done with so little. I learned more about clinical reasoning here than in any classroom."
— Leila H., Medical Student, Canada

Ready to Intern in Coastal Kenya?

If you're looking for an internship that blends real clinical exposure, cultural depth, and personal growth, CGTRH in Mombasa is one of the best placements in Africa.

Explore Go Elective’s medical internships in Kenya, or view program availability, pricing, and travel logistics. Apply Here.

Article Details

Categories

Recent Articles , Pre-health, Medical Electives, Nursing Internships,

Author: Go-Elective Abroad

Date Published: Jun 27, 2025