Hey guys! So as you may know, I’m a medical student and so I show this side of myself every now and then haha. This Feature Friday, and the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing a medical elective report written by a friend who studies in Sierre Leone, so if you plan on doing an elective abroad, particularly in the U.K., this is great for you!
Enjoy!
DATE: 7TH November-2ND December, 2016.
STUDENT: MOHAMED BELLA JALLOHSUPERVISOR: Dr DOROTHY KUFEJI
BACKGROUND TO VISIT
My visit to London was as a result of the partnership that exists between Kings Sierra Leone Partnership (KSLP) and COMAHS-USL. KSLP is non-governmental organisation helping to strengthen the healthcare system in Sierra Leone. Over the years they have rendered support to the Ministry of Health and Sanitation in key areas especially in Connaught, the central referral hospital in the country. Worthy of note is the newly refurbished A&E department at Connaught. They have also contributed greatly to research and medical education in the only medical school in the country, providing volunteer lecturers and reviewing the medical curriculum in keeping with recent trend of medical training. KSLP have also been offering medical students in COMAHS the chance to undertake their electives in the UK.
The medical elective is part of our undergraduate faculty programme (Module Code: ELE 600). The aim is for students to gain medical experience within a different healthcare setting (either within Sierra Leone or overseas).
Towards the end of our fourth (4th) year, KSLP educational lead, Suzanne Thomas informed our class through the class representative about the opportunity offered by KSLP for an elective placement in the UK. We were required to complete an application form which asked about our motivation and previous contribution to healthcare in the country. This makes selection fair as only 6 spots were available. After a few weeks, I received an email that I was selected together with 5 other colleagues. The following week, Suzanne scheduled a meeting to explain every detail of the application process on the Kings College London (KCL) website. She also took time to explain to us the documentations that were required including all immunisations and health records that were needed. It was very helpful as one single mistake could invalidate the whole application process. Considering the high number of applicants that KCL receive worldwide for elective placement, a mistake is not something you would want to make when submitting your application.
By Mohamed Bella Jalloh
And that’s all for now! Keep your eyes on the look out for the next segment of Bella’s report! There’s lots to learn ❤️
