Understanding Pediatrics in Tanzania

As part of a global health rotation and funded through a Center for Global Health Travel Grant, two MUSC residents are currently working with the pediatrics specialists of Arusha Lutheran Hospital in Arusha, Tanzania. The Center for Global Health checked in to share their experiences and what they have learned working in Tanzania after one week.

Cassandra Stegall, D.O.

MUSC Department of Pediatrics, PGY-3

   

“Rounding in the NICU, where things are similar and a bit different. We only have bubble CPAP for respiratory support and one phototherapy bank for the entire unit. As a hygiene precaution, people remove their shoes! Babies have sepsis and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, but management differs due to lack of resource availability.”

Charlene Chalmers, M.D.

MUSC Department of Pediatrics, PGY-3

 

“I rounded today in the NICU at Selian Lutheran Hospital in a village right outside Arusha, Tanzania. This baby was born at 35 weeks and had a breech presentation, I asked the intern if she had examined the hips for this baby and she asked me why this would be important. So, I spent a few minutes teaching her how to do the Ortolani and Barlow maneuvers to check for developmental dysplasia of the hip. Though peds ortho is limited in Tanzania and it is unlikely a positive result would lead to treatment, I felt this was important for her to know in her future practice as a pediatrician.
I enjoyed the opportunity to teach a local medical trainee!”