University of Sunderland
Ella McLaughlin (left) and colleagues set up a village clinic to distribute medicines.
One medical resident described the two weeks he spent learning medicine in Africa as a “humbling experience.”
Ella McLaughlin, 23, a medical student at the University of Sunderland, traveled 7,000 miles (11,265 km) to Kenya.
On this trip, the final year students not only worked at the hospital in the town of Nanyuki, but also spent time in nearby communities and schools.
Ms McLaughlin, from York, said: “I had never done anything like this before and it was really out of my comfort zone.”
“Patriarchal values”
Part of her job included helping with an outreach clinic set up in Tan Nyusi, a rural village more than 10 km (6 miles) walk from the pharmacy.
She also visited Uaso Nyiro Elementary School and helped talk to children ages 10 to 15 about puberty and menstruation.
“Many children come from tribes with traditional, patriarchal values that don’t always value women,” McLaughlin said.
“We discovered that some girls were made to sit on holes in the ground until their period ended.
“After the talk, we were able to give a donation of reusable napkins to over 70 girls.”
“Three babies shared a crib”
At Nanyuki Teaching Hospital, Ms McLaughlin worked in A&E, the neonatal ward and the maternity ward.
She said it was “very disturbing” to see there was only one doctor in the emergency ward and three babies often sharing a cot.
“Another aspect that shocked me was the fact that maternal death was just accepted and not questioned,” she said.
“Death was talked about as if it were normal, and in some cases almost expected. I was really disturbed by the high number of maternal deaths.”
University of Sunderland
McLaughlin’s job allowed her to meet elementary school students.
In Kenyan healthcare, people are enrolled in the National Health Insurance Scheme. But some people are struggling to cover the costs, McLaughlin said.
One patient could not afford the injections during pregnancy to prevent conditions that can lead to anemia, heart failure, jaundice, brain damage and even fetal death.
“It was only 30 pounds,” Ms McLaughlin explained. “But it was too much for this patient. I paid and she was very emotional and very grateful.
“Helping patients afford their medicine was a humbling experience. It made me realize how much we take for granted in countries with accessible healthcare systems.”
Now back home, McLaughlin is working on a ward at Sunderland Royal Hospital as he prepares to graduate next year.
This summer’s trip was made possible through a Futures Fund scholarship from the university.
