FAQs about doing a medical elective
You may have many questions before you come to Rushere for your elective - this page contains answers to the most commonly asked questions. If you have a question which is not listed, please ask us!
Q1. How do I get from Kampala to Rushere?
You can either hire a car and driver, or come by bus. Buses run daily to and from Kampala, and the journey takes approximately 7 hours. If you decide to come by bus, you can arrange for a taxi to meet you at the junction for Rushere on the Mbarara road, just south of Lyantonde. To arrange this, contact Lucy in the Guest House.
Q2. How much will it cost me?
You will need enough money for the following:
- £85 (sterling) a week, which covers accommodation and meals at the Guest House and supervision in the hospital. (A deposit of £50 should be paid when booking, with the balance being paid a month prior to arrival. Refunds will not be made after the full payment has been made.)
- Money for transport, and entrance to Game Parks. This can be quite expensive!
- Spending money.
Q3. Can I drink alcohol at the hospital?
We request that electives do not drink at the hospital. This would cause offence to staff and patients.
Q4. What should I wear?
Please dress modestly, particularly in the hospital.
Women - whilst at Rushere, please avoid shorts, short skirts and tight jeans, as these are viewed quite negatively. However, these can be worn while travelling, visiting Game Parks or playing sports.
Men - shorts are sometimes worn for leisure, but never for work.
Make sure you bring at least one nice outfit, as it is usual to dress well for parties and weddings.
Q5. What kind of food will I be eating?
You will eat well!! A wide variety of fruit and vegetables are available, as is good quality beef.
Q6. What should I bring?
A number of items are essential for your work at Rushere:
- White coat
- Surgical gloves
- Stethescope
- Eye protection
- Some books - Oxford Handbook of Clinical Medicine (Longmore, Wilkinson and Took) and Lecture Notes on Tropical Medicine (Bell)
- A good torch
In addition, you may like to bring the following:
- Photos of friends and family to show to people at Rushere
- Books and hobbies, particularly if you'll be with us for a long time
- A surge protector if you are bringing electical equipment
- Your camera, and space on your memory card or film
Q7. Can I use the Internet at Rushere?
Yes, there is a PC connected to the Internet, and when it isn't being used by hospital staff, electives can use it. A nominal charge of 1,000 Ug Shs is made for each 10 minutes online. Internet access is also available in the Guest House via a mobile phone connection.
Q8. Will my mobile phone work?
It is very easy to get local SIM cards in Kampala, and Pay as you Go airtime cards are widely available. If you want to use a Uganda SIM card, please make sure your phone is "unlocked" so that the new SIM card will work.
Q9. What is the electricity supply like?
Variable, with lots of power cuts - so please bring a surge protector. The current is 240v and the plugs are square pin.
Q10. Can I take photos?
Uganda is really beautiful, so you'll find plenty to take photos of. However, if you would like to take photos of anyone in the hospital, please ask their permission first.
Q11. What vaccinations do I need?
Please consult your doctor, as a number of vaccinations are needed as well as anti-malarial drugs.
Q12. Does the hospital accept credit cards?
No. This facility is only available in Kampala and in major hotels. We request payment in Ugandan Shillings.