Tropical Medicine Internships Abroad

Are you looking to expand your medical knowledge and gain firsthand experience in the diagnosis and treatment of tropical diseases? Tropical Medicine focuses on managing infections and diseases commonly found in tropical regions, with a particular emphasis on neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), including malaria, HIV/AIDS, and tuberculosis. During your Go Elective medical internship abroad, you’ll engage with real-world cases of these diseases, gaining practical skills and insights that will shape your understanding of global healthcare.

What is Tropical Medicine?

Tropical Medicine is the study of diseases prevalent in tropical regions of the world, including Africa, Asia, and parts of the Americas. It covers a wide range of infectious and parasitic diseases, often referred to as neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), such as:

• Schistosomiasis
• River blindness
• Leishmaniasis
• Elephantiasis
• Hookworm
• Chagas disease

These diseases are common in areas with limited healthcare resources and are largely considered diseases of poverty. They affect the most vulnerable populations, especially the 1.3 billion people living below the World Bank poverty level. In addition to infectious diseases, tropical medicine also deals with conditions related to malnutrition, as well as some non-communicable diseases that disproportionately affect these regions.

Tropical Diseases of Poverty

Tropical diseases are often referred to as "diseases of poverty" because they primarily affect impoverished populations living in rural or underserved urban areas. People living in these regions face a higher risk of exposure to the vectors—such as mosquitoes, flies, and parasites—that spread these infections. Diseases such as malaria, hookworm, and schistosomiasis are particularly devastating to children, pregnant women, and agricultural workers, causing developmental delays, maternal complications, and diminished productivity.

Although tropical diseases are typically associated with developing countries, some NTDs are also prevalent in wealthy nations, including the United States, where diseases like Chagas disease, toxocariasis, and cysticercosis are found among low-income populations such as our primary internships destinations.

Learn more about neglected tropical diseases through the World Health Organization's NTDs overview.

Why Choose Tropical Medicine for Your Medical Elective?

Choosing a Tropical Medicine internship with Go Elective allows you to work in hospitals and clinics in East Africa, particularly in Kenya and Tanzania. These regions face high rates of tropical diseases, making them ideal locations for learning about global health challenges.

You will gain invaluable experience diagnosing and managing conditions like:

• Malaria (one of the leading causes of death in children under five)
• HIV/AIDS
• Tuberculosis
• Leprosy
• Trachoma

During your internship, you’ll have the opportunity to engage with healthcare providers in settings like the Comprehensive Care Clinic (CCC). Here, you can observe and participate in the treatment of communicable diseases like malaria and HIV/AIDS, learn about antiretroviral therapies, and witness the integration of dermatology in treating opportunistic skin infections.

Learning Opportunities in Tropical Medicine

At Go Elective, we focus on providing hands-on learning opportunities. In the field of Tropical Medicine, you’ll participate in:

• Diagnosis and treatment of common tropical diseases
• HIV counseling and testing
• Malaria prevention strategies
• Observing vector control programs aimed at reducing the spread of diseases like malaria and dengue fever
• Learning about dermatological care in the context of tropical diseases

You will work under the supervision of experienced clinicians, gaining exposure to both acute and chronic tropical diseases, and will have the chance to observe global health initiatives in action. The CCC at your internship site is also supported by NGOs like Afya Pwani under the Pathfinder International umbrella, giving you insight into how non-governmental organizations contribute to global health efforts.

Learn more about program costs and details.

Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs): A Global Health Challenge

Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) are a group of 17 chronic parasitic and other infectious diseases that disproportionately affect impoverished populations. These diseases are called "neglected" because they receive less funding and research attention compared to more high-profile diseases like HIV or malaria, despite affecting over 1 billion people globally.

Some of the most common NTDs you’ll encounter include:

• Schistosomiasis: A parasitic infection caused by blood flukes
• Leishmaniasis: A disease caused by protozoan parasites transmitted by the bite of sandflies
• River blindness (onchocerciasis): A parasitic infection that causes severe itching and can lead to blindness
• Lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis): A parasitic disease that causes severe swelling in the limbs

In East Africa, NTDs present a massive burden on healthcare systems, leading to economic losses and exacerbating poverty. As a medical intern, you will witness firsthand how healthcare providers tackle these diseases through prevention, treatment, and community education initiatives.

Learn more about NTDs through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Comprehensive Care Clinic (CCC) in East Africa

The Comprehensive Care Clinic (CCC) in hospitals like Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital plays a critical role in managing tropical and communicable diseases. The clinic offers voluntary HIV testing and counseling, antiretroviral drug distribution, and treatment for opportunistic infections related to tropical diseases and immunodeficiencies.

Here, students will have the opportunity to:

• Participate in HIV testing and counseling sessions
• Observe the management of HIV/AIDS and malaria
• Work alongside doctors and nurses in treating tropical skin conditions
• Learn about dermatology as it relates to opportunistic infections like fungal diseases

Explore the healthcare specialties you'll experience with Go Elective

Cultural Immersion and Volunteering

Your medical elective is more than just a clinical experience. While working in East Africa, you’ll also immerse yourself in the local culture and contribute to community health initiatives. By volunteering in community outreach programs, you’ll educate local populations about disease prevention, promote public health, and support efforts to combat the spread of tropical diseases.

On your weekends, you can enjoy the rich cultural heritage of East Africa, relax on the stunning beaches, or embark on a safari adventure to witness Africa's wildlife.

Check out our safari options.

Global Health Seminars and Mentorship

In addition to your hands-on learning in Tropical Medicine, Go Elective offers regular global health seminars to enrich your understanding of the larger healthcare challenges in resource-poor settings. These seminars cover topics like:

• Infectious disease epidemiology
• Public health strategies for disease control
• Tropical disease prevention and treatment innovations

You’ll be guided by experienced clinicians and global health experts who will mentor you throughout your internship, ensuring you gain both the practical skills and academic knowledge needed to thrive in tropical medicine.

Conclusion: A Transformative Experience

Working in Tropical Medicine through Go Elective’s medical internships abroad will open your eyes to the pressing global health challenges faced by developing countries. You will gain hands-on experience diagnosing and managing tropical diseases, all while being mentored by experienced professionals in East Africa. This internship is an invaluable opportunity to grow both personally and professionally, making a lasting impact on the communities you serve.

Are you a premed, nursing, PA student, resident or medical student pursuing an MBBS or MBChB? Be ready to embark on a transformative journey by applying for Go Elective and begin your journey toward becoming a global health leader.

Article Details

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Recent Articles , Pre-health, Medical Electives,

Author: Go-Elective Abroad

Date Published: Oct 22, 2024