JOB INFORMATION DAY TOUR to BENJAMIN MKAPA HOSPITAL

Die Teilnehmer des diesjährigen Berufsinfomationstags besuchten das 2015 errichtete Benjamin Mkapa Krankenhaus in der Nähe von Dodoma, der Hauptstadt von Tansania und berichten von einer informativen Tour:

Introduction

Each year there is a job information day tour to form three students from AOHM and HBC. The purpose of the job information tour is to expose students to a variety of jobs found in a place which is visited so as to make right decisions in their future career choices. This year we decided to take students to a medical field that is a hospital. They visited Benjamin Mkapa Hospital which is a government hospital established in the year 2015 in Dodoma region, it was named after the third president of Tanzania (1995-2005) Benjamin William Mkapa. The hospital is equipped with modern medical facilities where they are not offered in other local hospitals in Tanzania. It is the second hospital in Tanzania to perform Kidney transplant.

The Tour

On 31st August 2022 a group of 17 students, 6 staff members, 1 Alumni and 2 drivers departed from AOHM at 5:15 AM to Benjamin Mkapa Hospital in Dodoma region. The hospital is about 302 km approximately to 4 hours and 58 minutes from the orphanage. Along the way students saw a variety of things which were interesting. They saw monkeys when they passed through Nyang’oro corners, they also saw Mtera power plantation which produces 80 megawatts which is on the border of Iringa and Dodoma regions. They also saw Nduli Airport, grapes plantations, fish vendors, a new railway construction and the Parliament of Tanzania which is in Dodoma region.

We arrived at Benjamin Mkapa Hospital at 11:52 AM and we were received by the administrators. Our host was Doctor Johnstone Rugaimukama who guided us around the hospital. It took us about 2 hours to complete the inside tour, we were not allowed to take pictures inside the hospital only when we got out of the building.

HOSPITAL DEPARTMENTS

Our guide took us to different hospital departments and explained to us how they function. We started with Radiology where we saw different machines that have high energy radiations whereby the radiation is used for the diagnosis and treatment of different diseases. We passed through the following radiology machines.

CT- scan

Students were introduced to the radiologist who controls the CT-scan machine and he elaborates on how it functions. The CT-scan takes photos in form of slices and in form of contrasts. He also explained that CT-scan machines differ in functions depending on generations. There are various generations and its efficiency increases depending on the particular generation. Up to now there are 4 generations of CT- scan machines. It’s area of operation is computerized, it shows samples of scanned photos and is much faster in showing or bringing results. The room has a strong lead –lined door that is used to shield operators from harmful radiations

Mammography Unit

We were also taken to a room where there is a Mammography machine. A machine that is used to diagnose and locate breasts tumors. He told us that a patient can be diagnosed vertically or horizontally.

Fluoroscopy unit

The fluoroscopy machine is used to perform a wide variety of examinations and procedures to diagnose or treat patients for example, Angiograms that is to visualize blood vessels and organs, to guide joint replacements and treatment of fractures. Also it is used to open narrowed or blocked blood vessels.

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

The last machine we saw was Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). This is medical imaging technique that is used to provide better contrast in images of soft tissues for example the brain, cartilage and muscles. It uses strong magnetic field and radio waves to produce detailed images of the organs in the body.

PHYSIOTHERAPY

We were also introduced to Physiotherapy department where the patients are assisted by physiotherapists to restore, maintain and make the most of patient’s mobility function. The specialists on this department assist patients in doing exercises, there are also gym exercise rooms for the patients.

WARDS

We were also introduced to some of different wards in the hospital, time was not enough to visit all wards in the hospital. The wards which we visited were: Private ward, VIP ward, Surgical and Urinary system ward, Labour ward, Pediatric ward and Intensive Care Unit ward. The wards which we didn’t visit because of time were; Cardiology, Oncology and Neurology among others.

Surgical and Urinary System Ward

These Wards are responsible for admitting patients with surgery and urinary system problems, they are found on the first floor.

Labour ward

This is the ward for expectant mothers and infants. Each room can accommodate 3 patients. It is available on the third floor.

Pediatric Ward

This is a ward for children. This ward has graphics illustrations pictures for children. They are designed to relieve anxiety to children who are undergoing medical treatment. It is found on the second floor

Intensive Care Unit (ICU)

There are special rooms for ICU. There are monitors that are used to monitor patients, each patient is connected to his or her own monitor. The hospital management is expecting to purchase two large monitors which will be used to monitor all patients. There are air mattresses which release and refill automatically because they are connected to power. Also there is a machine called Defibrillator which is used to check if a patient is dead or still alive.

Jobs Found

After the hospital tour students were able to ask our guide what types of jobs are found in the hospital. Some students were able to observe themselves the types of jobs found in the hospital like Doctors, Nurses, Pharmacists and Clinical Officers. Other jobs which they were told by our guide were: Radiologists, Physiotherapists, Medical Records Assistant, Human Resources, Procurement and Social Welfare.

Conclusion

After visiting the hospital we passed by the Nyerere square which is a statue of the first president of Tanzania Mwl. Julius Nyerere. The statue is found in the city Centre of Dodoma. We took some pictures and started our journey back to Iringa. Students had a great opportunity to learn something different, they gained a lot from the hospital. All in all they came to understand that in order to work in the hospital they have to mainly study science subjects such as Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics as well. We arrived at the Orphanage at 9:20 PM