When pursuing medical internships abroad, one of the most impactful choices you’ll make is whether to train in a public or private hospital. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)—like Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and others across Africa, Asia, and Latin America—these healthcare systems vary widely, and your choice can significantly shape your learning experience.
Through Go Elective’s healthcare internships in Kenya and Tanzania, students are placed in both public and private teaching hospitals. Understanding the pros and cons of each setting can help you align your goals with the type of clinical environment that will benefit you most.
Healthcare systems in LMICs are typically dual-structured:
Often under-resourced but serve the majority of the population. They are typically affiliated with the Ministry of Health and provide subsidized care
Better equipped, may offer more specialized services, and cater to patients who can afford out-of-pocket care or have private insurance.
Depending on the country, public facilities may be the only accessible option for rural or low-income populations, while private facilities tend to be located in urban centers and serve a smaller patient base.
Public hospitals in LMICs often treat hundreds of patients daily. As an intern, this translates into:
At facilities like Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital in Mombasa, Kenya, Go Elective interns routinely rotate through internal medicine, emergency, surgery, pediatrics, and OB/GYN wards, gaining broad clinical perspective in just a few weeks.
While public hospitals may lack cutting-edge equipment, this setting helps students:
Public facilities that host international interns often do so with the intent of sharing knowledge. Interns are guided by seasoned professionals who:
You may encounter:
While frustrating, these conditions also teach resourcefulness and underscore the global healthcare inequities that future practitioners must address.
Treating patients who lack consistent access to healthcare, who arrive late in disease progression, or who cannot afford life-saving interventions can be emotionally difficult. Interns must prepare for this reality—and use it as a motivator to pursue compassionate, patient-centered care.
Private hospitals generally have:
This makes it easier to dive deeper into patient cases, ask more questions, and absorb clinical details without the time pressure typical in public hospitals.
In private institutions, the systems and schedules are more consistent. Interns benefit from:
If you’re eager to observe procedures with full diagnostic support, including imaging and labs, private hospitals may offer a clearer view into the clinical process as it’s practiced in higher-resource settings.
Private hospitals often serve middle- or upper-income patients and may not see the same diversity or severity of conditions as public hospitals.
If part of your goal is to understand global health inequalities or serve vulnerable populations, the private sector may not give you the complete picture.
It depends on your goals:
At Go Elective, we match students based on their academic focus, professional goals, and interests. Interns may rotate through both public and private institutions during their time abroad for a more balanced experience.
Whether you train in a bustling public hospital or a quieter private clinic, your experience in an LMIC will challenge and inspire you. You’ll see medicine practiced through a different lens, gain perspective on your future role as a healthcare provider, and build a deeper sense of purpose.
Before you choose your internship setting, ask yourself:
No matter your answer, one thing is clear: clinical experience abroad is one of the best ways to grow—personally and professionally—as a future healthcare leader.
Ready to begin? Explore Go Elective’s Clinical Internships Abroad for guided hands-on rotations that prepare you for medical school, PA programs, and more.
Recent Articles , Pre-health, Medical Electives, Nursing Internships,
Author: Go-Elective Abroad
Date Published: Jun 15, 2025
Go Elective offers immersive opportunities for medical students, pre-med undergraduates, residents, nursing practitioners, and PAs to gain guided invaluable experience in busy hospitals abroad. Discover the power of study, travel, and impact.