This project consists of a one-month rotation in general surgery during April 2025 at Sagam Community Hospital in rural Kenya. The aim of the project is to gain hands-on experience in general surgery, focusing on the management of common surgical conditions in a resource-limited setting. The rotation will include clinical care, skills training, and community outreach to help improve access to surgical services for rural populations. The rotation will provide invaluable exposure to diverse clinical cases, offering me an opportunity to learn how surgery in performed in low-resource, rural settings. During my time in Kenya, I will be working with a board-certified general surgeon - the only surgeon in the community. During this rotation, I will engage in daily clinical rounds, assist in surgeries, and actively participate in patient management. This rotation will be a great tool to learn critical problem-solving and adaptability skills, crucial for both international work and practices in underserved communities. During this time, I will assist the surgeon in performing a needs assessment of the community and to plan some outreach initiatives to improve access to surgical care. The rotation will pave a path towards a sustainable partnership with this community hospital for future collaboration.
Sagam is located in Siaya County, Nyanza Province, in Western Kenya. It is home to Sagam Community Hospital (SCH), a 52-bed facility that serves the local population. The hospital provides essential medical services, including emergency care, maternity, childcare, and outpatient services to the local community. The county has a population of over 842,000 inhabitants, with more than 38% living in abject poverty. As the area is rural, many residents engage in subsistence farming. Access to healthcare services are limited, especially surgical care, and many arrive on foot. SCH currently has 1 consultant general surgeon who is there to serve the community.
Through a mutual friend, I was connected to the general surgeon at SCM. She invited me to come for a rotation to serve the community and work with her. My past experiences in global health (Peace Corps, numerous short-term international mission trips) will be beneficial for this rotation. I understand the importance of integrating fully into a community, and I will approach this rotation with openness and gratitude.
This surgical rotation in Sagam, Kenya will be a unique and impactful learning experience, deeply shaping both my clinical skills and expanding my cultural competency. This rural region, with its limited healthcare resources, presents numerous challenges and opportunities to apply surgical knowledge and practical skills in a real-world setting. The expected impact of this rotation is significant, not only for personal development but also for the local community's healthcare. The rotation will sharpen my clinical skills by exposing me to a diverse range of surgical conditions commonly encountered in rural Kenya. Conditions such as hernias, appendicitis, obstetric complications, trauma, infections, and tropical diseases will be prevalent, helping me learn how to manage these cases with limited resources. In addition to hands-on surgical experience which will decrease the burden of surgical disease in the area, I will also gain valuable insight into the preoperative and postoperative management of surgical patients. I will learn to evaluate surgical candidates, make treatment plans, and ensure that post-surgical care is adequately provided with a focus on infection prevention in low resource settings. Due to the rural nature of the rotation, I will be able to participate in outreach programs to educate the community on the prevention of common surgical conditions, the significance of early medical interventions, and the importance of access to surgical care. Working alongside other health care professionals at SCM will offer insights into the healthcare infrastructure in rural Kenya. Overall, this rotation will challenge me to expand my clinical abilities, adapt to resource constraints, and work within a team to provide optimal care. I will gain a deeper understanding of global surgery, especially in rural areas, and a refined approach to patient care in low-resource environments.
This one-month rotation in rural general surgery at Sagam Community Hospital in rural Kenya during April 2025 was successful. During this rotation, I gained hands-on experience in general surgery, focusing on the management of common surgical conditions in a resource-limited setting. We performed numerous surgical procedures, including thyroidectomies, hernia repairs, and endoscopies. We participated in a large medical outreach camp and saw over 50 new surgical consults. In addition, we engaged in daily clinical rounds and weekly teaching seminars on various medical and surgical topics for the entire clinical staff at Sagam Community Hospital. Lastly and most importantly, I learned about the culture of the Sagam community, explored the specific barriers to accessing surgical care in the region, and met so many wonderful people, including staff and patients, in Sagam. Thank you for this wonderful opportunity.
