In September 2024, we brought you news that CIPHER Medical were sponsoring 3 third year paramedic students on their elective placement to Tanzania. They have successfully completed this placement and shared their incredible journey with us.
Our Journey
We’re Olivia, Grace, and Jessica, who recently had the incredible opportunity to undertake our third year paramedic elective placement in Tanzania before qualifying. This unforgettable experience was made possible with the generous support of CIPHER Medical; who not only sponsored our trip but also helped us organise a Tough Mudder fundraiser to raise additional funds. Our time in Tanzania allowed us to take our learning to a wider level by obtaining eye opening clinical experiences, developing a deeper understanding of global healthcare, and discovering areas of personal and professional growth that will stay with us for the rest of our careers.
As students, we had the opportunity to complete part of our university placement with CIPHER Medical. This experience opened the door for us to begin working with the company in a variety of roles, allowing us to develop our skills further and become part of the CIPHER team. When we first looked into the possibility of taking our studies abroad, we knew it would require significant funding and resources. It quickly became clear that fundraising would be the key to making this journey a reality. We approached Andy Thomas, the CEO of CIPHER Medical, to share our plans and he became one of our biggest advocates. Andy generously offered to sponsor us, contributing towards our placement fees, and even gave us the opportunity to take part in a Tough Mudder to raise additional funds.
Departure Day:
When the day of departure finally arrived, all the hard work and dedication that had gone into planning and preparing for this journey felt worthwhile. We were beyond excited to begin this experience. After 24 hours of travelling, we arrived safely in Tanzania, where a member of the work the world team was waiting to greet us. We were transported to our accommodation for the next three weeks, and even during the drive to the villa, we began to experience elements of the local culture and some of the everyday challenges too. Once we arrived, we settled into our rooms and met other students from around the world who were also completing their elective placements before heading to bed.
Week One:
Day one consisted of several induction sessions, including a visit to the hospital and introductions to the departments we would be working in. This gave us the chance to get oriented and familiar with the hospital environment, helping us feel more prepared for the days ahead.
Our first week on placement was spent working across obstetrics and gynaecology theatres, the labour ward, and the neonatal and neonatal intensive care units (NICU). As our first time working in a hospital setting abroad, it was an incredibly eye-opening experience that gave us new perspectives on healthcare delivery in a global context. We began the week in the obstetrics and gynaecology theatres, where we had the opportunity to observe several surgical procedures, including caesarean sections and the removal of an ovarian wall tumour. This was a completely new experience for us, as exposure to theatre environments is limited in our UK training. The theatre staff were extremely welcoming and, when possible, took the time to answer our questions and explain their procedures and techniques.
Following this, we moved to the delivery ward. During our time there, we joined ward rounds and supported mothers at various stages of their pregnancies. We also encountered some emotionally challenging situations, including cases where medical terminations were necessary. In these moments, staff were compassionate and took the time to explain the clinical reasoning behind each decision, helping us to understand the difficult balance between medical necessity and emotional impact.
To finish the week, we spent time on the neonatal ward and NICU. This was, without doubt, the most heart-warming part of our week. We met several premature babies, some of which were awaiting or recovering from surgery, others waiting until they were strong enough to be discharged. The staff were incredibly kind and encouraged us to help with feeding, cuddling, and caring for the babies who didn’t have family able to visit them. This experience was incredibly sentimental for all three of us, and we truly cherished the time spent comforting and caring for these vulnerable little ones.
Week 2:
During our second week in the hospital, we rotated through the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), the paediatric burns unit, and paediatric theatres. As with the previous week, we began with a ward orientation, meeting the ward sisters and familiarising ourselves with the layout, staff, and protocols. Our time in the PICU was both educational and emotionally challenging. Most of the children required constant monitoring and care, with the majority being on ventilators. The patients ranged from just a few months old to 16 years of age, each with their own story. We took time to introduce ourselves to the staff and learn about each child’s condition. Reading their case notes and understanding the causes of their illnesses, many of which would likely have been preventable or treatable at an earlier stage back home and this was sometimes difficult to process.
Later in the week, we moved across to the paediatric burns unit. We began with ward rounds, gaining an understanding of the nature and extent of the injuries. The doctors were extremely engaging, offering detailed explanations in English while also testing our knowledge and encouraging us to think on the spot. The burns we encountered ranged from minor injuries to severe cases caused by open fires, electrical burns, and scalding water. Despite the trauma these children had endured, their resilience and warmth was outstanding.
We assisted with dressing changes and wound assessments, observing the team’s aseptic techniques and approach to burn care. We decided we would return to the ward voluntarily later in the week, bringing biscuits, bubbles, and glove-balloon animals to share with the children. Their appreciation was moving and being able to see how much happiness and enthusiasm could be sparked by such simple acts of kindness and our presence reminded us exactly why we were there.
Finally we spent time in paediatric theatres. Here, we observed a range of procedures, but one in particular stayed with us. A young girl who had suffered an untreated infection that led to necrosis in her fingers and toes, resulting in amputation. It was a sad case and one that highlighted the harsh reality of healthcare inequalities. In a different setting, her condition could have been managed earlier and prevented from progressing so far.
Unfortunately, the cost of healthcare in Tanzania often means treatment is delayed until critical. 
Week 3:
Our final week of the elective placement took place at Muhimbili National Orthopaedic Institute, where we worked within the orthopaedics and trauma departments as well as in theatres. In the orthopaedics and trauma unit, patients would often self present for assessments, giving us a valuable opportunity to complete history taking, use familiar observational equipment, and perform musculoskeletal assessments. With the support of the staff who helped translate patients’ answers and concerns. One doctor in particular challenged us clinically to see if we would reach the same medical conclusions as he did. This was very useful, as it encouraged us to apply our final year training in real world scenarios and think critically about our clinical reasoning.
We encountered a wide variety of cases whilst in this department, ranging in severity and duration. Some patients had lived with their conditions for years before finally seeking hospital care due to worsening symptoms. This was quite shocking for us, as it contrasts with healthcare experiences at home. In addition to the ward, we spent time in theatres. The surgical cases we observed included musculoskeletal injuries, fracture repairs, joint replacements, as well as neurological surgeries such as craniotomies, tumour removals, and the drainage of hydrocephalus in young children. This theatre experience was incredibly valuable, exposing us to procedures relevant to prehospital care in our home country, like fracture management whilst also introducing us to complex neurosurgical operations. In addition to this, we worked closely with several anaesthetists, gaining insight into patient intubation and sedation processes. This hands-on exposure broadened our understanding of perioperative care and reinforced our clinical skills in airway management.
Tanzania currently does not have a pre-hospital emergency care system, which means that many people outside of hospital settings have little or no understanding of basic lifesaving skills such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
To end our elective placement, we decided to give something back to the local community by visiting a nearby primary school to teach the children the basics of CPR. With help from our weekly Swahili lessons, we planned and delivered the session in Swahili, which allowed us to connect more effectively with the students and create a fun and engaging learning environment. We brought along a pillow to act as our patient and began with a demonstration before encouraging the children to practise the technique themselves. The children 
were eager to learn and picked it up incredibly quickly. It was amazing to see their enthusiasm and determination as they took turns practising what we had taught them and even more rewarding to see them successfully complete the CPR steps on their own. After the session, we donated sports equipment we had brought with us for the school and spent some time outside playing games with the children. Their excitement and joy from being with us was very memorable.
At the end of our visit, the head teacher showed us the school’s current first aid supplies. What we saw was deeply upsetting, it was a small cupboard containing only an out-of-date bottle of saline and a few pieces of gauze. It was clear that the school lacked even the most basic medical essentials. We knew that we didn’t want to leave without doing something more for the community. In our own time, we visited a local shop to purchase a selection of essential first aid items, including bandages, antiseptic, dressings etc.
We then returned to the school to donate the supplies. The head teacher was incredibly grateful for our gesture. It was a truly humbling moment, one that reminded us how something so small for us could have such a meaningful impact on others. It reinforced the importance of giving back to those who need it.
This trip was truly a once in a lifetime experience. In just three weeks, we encountered so much and gained invaluable knowledge and skills. We had the unique opportunity to witness first hand how medical care is delivered in a country less fortunate than our own and to see how healthcare professionals adapt and innovate in challenging circumstances. This journey has genuinely opened our eyes and changed our perspective on life. It has taught us to never to take anything for granted and to be grateful for the opportunities and resources we often assume as standard. On both a personal and professional level, this experience has shaped us into better people, and the lessons we have learned will guide us through every step of our careers.
We cannot thank CIPHER Medical and Andy Thomas enough for all of the generous support and encouragement, which was a big factor in making this journey possible. We are beyond grateful, and this experience is something we will carry with us forever thanks to their involvement.
