Biomedical Engineering student Frederieke de Smid tells her story :
On September 8th, I started my international journey as part of my internship, and it's been an incredible experience so far. #Nairobi, with its culture and warm-hearted people, welcomed me with open arms, making me feel right at home.
The journey kicked off with a meeting with my colleague and guide, Francis, who has been helping me navigate the complexities of #healthcare in Nairobi. With his guidance, I felt ready to dive headfirst into my mission: conducting interviews in various hospitals across the city.
🏥 A Day in the Life of an Intern 🏥
Here's a glimpse into a typical day in my Nairobi internship:
🕣 8:30 AM: Francis picks me up, and we set off on our daily adventure.
🕤 9:30 AM: I conduct interviews at hospitals, learning about their ways.
🕦 11:00 AM: We visit the Ministry of Health for inquiries, gaining valuable insights into the healthcare landscape.
🕐 1:00 PM: Lunchtime! I can't get enough of the delicious chapati here – it's a must-try!
🕒 2:00 PM: We continue our journey by visiting hospitals for walk-in interviews.
🕒 3:30 PM: Head back home and updating the bosses at home (😉)
🏥 Insights from the Field 🌡
One of the most eye-opening aspects of my internship has been discovering the disparities in healthcare facilities. While some larger hospitals in Nairobi follow washing, disinfection, and sterilization procedures similar to those in the Netherlands, smaller hospitals often face budget constraints. As a result, they resort to using household bleach (JIK) for disinfection, which poses a significant risk of corrosion leading to toxicity risks to patients.
This contrast highlights the importance of accessible and standardized healthcare practices, regardless of a hospital's size or resources. It's a reminder of the critical work that still lies ahead in ensuring patient safety and healthcare quality.
I'm eager to delve even deeper into my internship in the coming weeks, uncovering more insights and making a positive impact on healthcare practices in Nairobi and Kampala. Stay tuned for more updates!
Thank you all for your support and encouragement. 🙌 A special thanks to TU Delft | Global Initiative, FAST University Fund TU Delft, #InternationalInternshipFund and Students4Sustainability for making this internship possible. Together, we can make a difference in the world of healthcare. 💪🌐 #InternshipDiaries #HealthcareInNairobi#GlobalHealthcare #UnifixCare #PatientSafety
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