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Durban, South Africa
Summary
McCord Hospital is a 166-bed, Christian hospital, providing comprehensive, affordable, and quality health care to the less privileged people of Durban. McCord Hospital has four service priorities: patient care, research, education and training, and holistic HIV care. The latter is the greatest single medical need in South Africa today, and in line with this challenge McCord Hospital has developed comprehensive HIV care programs.
McCord Hospital fosters an active learning environment that encourages those students to further develop their skills, and leadership potential. In addition to training for medical interns and family physicians, McCord Hospital participates in international collaborations for medical education, especially through Harvard University. The hospital also provides learning opportunities for both medical students and resident physicians from abroad.
Location & CommunityDurban is located on the eastern coast of South Africa. It is the third most populous city in the nation, at roughly 3.5 million people, and home to the busiest seaport in all of Africa. Durban is a melting pot of different communities. Black Africans account for 68 percent of the population, followed by Asians and Indians at 19 percent, and Whites at 9 percent. Durban today boasts the largest Indian population residing outside of India. It is a youthful city, with 50 percent of the population under age 24, while just 4 percent are over the age of 65.
The summer months are October through March, with temperatures ranging from 23 C (73°F) - 33 C (91°F), and high levels of humidity, especially in January and February. Wintertime is April through September, with a drier climate and milder temperatures in the range of 13 C (55°F) - 26 C (78°F).
TransportationVisitors fly into the modern Durban International Airport, where taxi and rental care service is readily available. "Minibus taxis" are the most common form of local public transport, though they should be used with caution due to high accident rates.
Visa RequirementFor current information, please visit the South African Embassy website appropriate for your country. United States citizens can consult the South Africa Embassy in Washington, DC. American passport holders should obtain a visitor visa only, which is generally valid for 90 days.
Traveler's Health & SafetyPlease check the CDC travel website for the most up-to-date health information: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx, and consult with your physician before traveling.
Travelers are advised to regularly check the U.S. State Department website for the most up-to-date information regarding country specific travel information and travel advisories: http://www.state.gov/travel.
While pharmacies are available in South Africa, travelers do well to bring a sufficient supply of personal medications. McCord Hospital does supply, for a charge, post-exposure prophylaxis for needle stick injuries. As in any major city, one must be conscientious about safety. One should not carry obvious, visible valuables, and avoid walking around after dark.
PatientsMcCord Hospital primarily serves people in Durban's middle-income population bracket. The majority of patients are employed, but do not have accompanying health insurance. They frequently present to McCord Hospital with trauma, complications of chronic diseases, and for obstetrical care. HIV disease, with its entire range of complications, is also highly prevalent.
LanguagesSouth Africa has 11 official languages. English is commonly spoken in Durban and other major cities, but is not as prevalent in rural areas. The most widely spoken language outside the city is isiZulu ("Zulu"). Translation is available for those patients who do not speak English.
FacilitiesMcCord Hospital is a 166-bed, semi-private, Christian hospital, partially subsidized by the provincial Department of Health. The aim is to provide comprehensive, affordable, and quality health care to the less privileged people of Durban. McCord Hospital is characterized by four service priorities: patient care, education and training, holistic HIV care, and research.
Departments within the hospital include internal medicine, surgery, orthopedics, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, ophthalmology, emergency/casualty, and outpatient department, providing care for some 250 patients per day. Specialist care is also available in anesthesiology, ENT, plastic surgery, palliative care, dermatology, psychiatry, urology, audiology, radiology, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and psychosocial support services.
HIV Care FacilitiesThe greatest single medical need in South Africa for the foreseeable future is prevention of HIV infection and care of infected people, all in the face of ongoing social stigma. In line with this challenge McCord Hospital has developed comprehensive HIV care programs. These include antenatal clinics that provide Prevention of Mother To Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV, as well as adult and pediatric HIV/AIDS treatment centers.
McCord Hospital today hosts one of the largest Anti-Retro Viral therapy programs in the South Africa. Comprehensive care is offered and includes social assistance, psychological services and pastoral care. For those individuals who fail outpatient care and suffer from full-blown AIDS and life-threatening opportunistic infections, especially tuberculosis, McCord Hospital holds out hope through state-of-the-art medical interventions in the setting of research and medical education.
Website Health Profession StaffEach department of McCord Hospital is lead by at least one post-graduate trained physician, many of whom received their education in Europe and the United States.
Student ExperienceMcCord Hospital fosters an active learning environment that encourages those in training to further develop their skills, abilities, and leadership potential. It trains medical interns in all the major disciplines, and it accredited by the Health Professions Council of South Africa. The Hospital also runs a Medical Officer Development Program, leading to a Masters Degree in Family Medicine. The McCord School of Nursing is one of the most highly ranked in the nation. And, international collaborations for medical education are growing, especially through Harvard University and Massachusetts General Hospital.
The hospital provides learning opportunities for medical students and resident physicians both from South Africa and other countries. Students should specify if they would like a general, broad experience, or would prefer to participate in one specific department of the Hospital.
Student Blogs Student Lodging & MealsVarious lodging options are available for students at serving at McCord Hospital. The Doctors Quarters (DQ) is within walking distance of the hospital. The rooms are basic, clean and comfortable with shared bathrooms. Meals can be prepared in a communal kitchen or obtained at a discount from the staff dining room at the hospital. Several other comparable housing facilities are also available in the area.
Outside CommunicationCell phones are commonly used and are readily available in Durban. Not all hotels and accommodations offer Internet access, but Internet cafes are plentiful.
DiversionSouth Africa is a country well worth exploring, with excellent game parks, majestic mountains and wonderful beaches, all within a couple of hour's drive of Durban. Weekends are ideal for taking advantage of "package tours," and other students and visitors are often willing to join in and make up a party to reduce cost. Some students also plan few days of travel after their period of study ends.
Facility SupportINMED invites all participants to consider raising extra funds to donate to support the facility. This is not required but allows INMED participants to become involved in every aspect of medical missions.
Behavior & DressRemember to greet people and introduce yourself as frequently as necessary until people to get to know you. Courtesy and manners go far. Simple gestures like remembering people's names and learning a few Zulu words are helpful. Offering to teach something is usually well received: it helps you to get to know the staff and shows that you want to contribute to the hospital.
Dress is casual, but smart. However, bare midriffs, short skirts and plunging necklines are not acceptable for ladies and men are expected to wear long pants and not shorts. Open toe shoes are fine as it can be quite hot in Durban in summer. While many senior doctors do not wear white coats, interns and medical students are expected to wear them. Summer is hot and you will need cooler clothes, but in winter you may want a sweater and closed toe shoes.
What To PackDoctors should bring their own stethoscope, penlight or flashlight, otoscope and ophthalmoscope, as these are not always readily available in the wards. Individuals are encouraged to provide their own laptop computers. South Africa's voltage is 220. Do not bring appliances that require only 110 volts. The South African currency is the Rand. ATMs are widely available, and most restaurants and stores accept major credit cards. However, petrol stations and many Bed & Breakfasts only accept cash. Traveler's cheques are not easy to cash in South Africa.