Choma General Hospital, Zambia
Location
Choma General Hospital is located in the town of Choma, Zambia, in southern Zambia. Choma is populated with about 30,000 people and is found on the main North - South road that runs through Zambia. The rural area contains some commercial farming (tobacco), as well as other types of cash crops, including cotton, maize, and paprika. According to the country’s constitution, Zambia is a Christian nation. In reality, about half of the population of Zambia are Christians. There are the major Christian denominations and several Pentecostal denominations.
The climate is similar to that experienced in the southern United States with one major exception: the schedule is reversed. June to August is quite cool, October to November can be quite hot, and the rainy season lasts from December to March.
TransportationVisitors fly into either Lusaka or Livingstone. Depending on the fares available, sometimes a routing through Johannesburg can be less expensive than one directly to Lusaka from Europe. Visitors are met at the airport upon their arrival. Travel from the airports to Choma is along a paved road.
Visa RequirementsFor current information, please visit the Zambian Embassy website appropriate for your country. The website for the Zambian Embassy in the USA is http://www.zambiaembassy.org/. US citizens can normally get a “tourist” visa on arrival at the airport.
Traveler’s health & safetyPlease check the CDC travel website for the most up-to-date health information: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx.
Malaria prophylaxis is necessary for visitors to Zambia. HIV prevalence is Zambia is an estimated 16 percent. The supply of HIV prophylactic medication is irregular but is usually available. Yellow fever vaccinations are not normally necessary for a visitor to Zambia. However, it is required if the traveler plans subsequent travel to Asian countries after visiting sub-Saharan Africa. Hepatitis vaccines are not required, but they are recommended. Travelers’ diarrhea is unusual, but it is sensible to bring medications for personal health problems.
Visitors are advised to regularly check the U.S. State Department website for the most up-to-date information regarding travel advisories: http://www.state.gov/travelandbusiness
FacilityChoma General Hospital is a 200-bed district hospital. It provides health care for the 30,000 people living in Choma Province and serves as a referral center for the 380,000 people living in the district. The hospital also receives surgical patients from neighboring districts.
WebsiteRead an interview with Dr. Kenneth Johnson at http://norprov.org/ministry/doctorinzambia.htm
PatientsThe patients that arrive at Choma General Hospital are ordinary townspeople. They range from professionals, trades-people, small businessmen, farm-workers, and general laborers. In Zambia, family life is an elaborate, extended structure. Often families will make decisions regarding health care rather than individuals.
Medical StaffChoma General Hospial usually has 4 physicians on staff: Dr. Kenneth Johnson and three Zambian national physicians. These Zambian physicians have had basic medical training through internship, but not additional post-graduate training. The District Director of Health has a MS in public health.
Dr. Johnson attended Northwestern University Medical School (Chicago, Illinois), and completed a general surgical residency at the University of Miami Jackson Memorial Hospital (Miami, Florida). He received additional training surgical oncology fellowship at Roswell Park Memorial Institute (Buffalo, New York), surgical endoscopy at Massachusetts General Hospital (Boston, Massachusetts). He is board certified in General Surgery and in Surgical Critical Care. He is a Fellow of American College of Surgeons, member of Society of Critical Care Medicine, Fellow of East Africa College of Surgeons, Zambia Surgical Society. Dr. Johnson is also a Catholic priest belonging to the Jesuits.
LanguagesThe health care staff speak English and will readily help in any translation service. Hospital records are written in English. Among the patients, about half the men and about a quarter of the women speak English. Others speak a local language. All commerce in the city is conducted in English.
Student ExperienceThe basic experience available for students and resident physicians is in the surgical department. They will assist in the surgical clinic, the surgery wards for rounds, and to assist in the operating room. There is flexibility in focusing on certain problems if the student desires that.
About 400 patients are seen in surgery clinic each per month, and about 140 patients sent to the operating room each month. Of those operations, about 40 include major operations covering obstetrics, general surgery, orthopedics, urology, and gynecology. There is some opportunity for students to visit the medicine department and outreach community health centers.
Student Lodging & MealsStudents will stay in a guesthouse near an attending physician who will also assists with transportation. Meals are prepared in the guesthouse.
Outside CommunicationStudents have access to Internet cafes in town. Occasionally, email is accessible as a courtesy from the attending physician’s residence.
DiversionChoma is a town of limited cultural diversions. Radio and television serve well for news and entertainment (available at the guest house). Often a trip may be made with students to Livingstone to see Victoria Falls and a local game park.
DressFor medical work, students should be prepared for a “business” or “professional” style of dress in Choma. Men are expected to wear a shirt and tie. Women should wear clothing similar to appropriate “business” or “professional” dress in the USA. Most likely, what visitors wear in a University Hospital in the USA is appropriate in Choma. All students are expected to wear white coats, which can be provided at the hospital. Outside of work, visitors should wear leisure clothing that is smart and casual. For church services, visitors make an effort to dress neatly and simply.
What To PackVisitors should pack simply and lightly. There are laundry facilities available with a line to dry clothes. Irons are also available. Visitors do not need to bring stethoscopes, white coats, or any hospital materials. They can be supplied and are not necessary to pack.