Des Moines University currently has one South Africa rotation at the University of Limpopo
University of Limpopo
South Africa
This rotation is located in Polokwane, Limpopo, South Africa, and is based in the Provincial Hospital of Limpopo. Students can rotate in their 3rd or 4th year with 2-3 students per four-week period. This is an English speaking rotation.
You will have an opportunity to listen to lectures from local and guest physicians. The rotation will provide you with tropical medicine exposure. Once a week on Monday, you will travel to St. Stephens Hospital, which is a 25-bed hospital in a rural setting. Students from all over the world rotate at this hospital.
Rotation contact information
Dr. Jim Blessman
U.S. contact
515-343-5920
Doc@BlessmanMinistries.org
Becki Rippey
office manager
becki@blessmanministries.org
Contact information for the University of Limpopo
Polokwane Mankweng Hospital
% Pietersburg Hospital
Private Bag x9315
Polokwane 700
RSA
Dr. Mbokazi
acting director
(082) 920-9732 - cell
+2 (715) 297-7551 – office
mbokazi@iaafrica.com
Anita
assistant to Dr. Mbokazi
anita@ul.ac.za
Dr. Shoyeb
mshoyeb@gmail.com
Air travel
Your final destination is the Pietersburg/Polokwane airport in South Africa. However, you may have a flight that goes into Johannesburg too late in the day to catch a flight to Polokwane that evening. In that case, there is a bed and breakfast in Johannesburg that Dr. Blessman highly recommends for that night’s lodging.
The contact information is:
Sunrock Guesthouse
11 Park Street
Kempton Park
1620
Gauteng, South Africa
(011) 394-3772
(083) 789-4561
Arthur and Ina Johnson
Owners
www.sunrock.co.za
Arthur will pick up guests that evening and take guests to the airport the next morning. The cost is around R250 or R350 per person with at least two people per room.
The average time of travel is 28 hours. Average cost of the ticket is $1,500 – $2,000 – depending on where you fly in and out. Please list this address on your landing form upon entry:
Polokwane Mankweng Hospital
% Pietersburg Hospital
Private Bag x9315
Polokwane 700, RSA
Before arriving (application and student study guidelines)
Application process includes an application form that needs to be filled out and sent before the rotation begins.
- Medical forms
- Registration criteria and information
- Medical and dental
- Medicine and dentistry
- Download the F8 Form (visiting student). This form will need to be signed by Dr. Shah and taken to the registrar’s office for the DMU school seal.
- A color copy of your passport which has been notarized by a notary of the public
- The student fee will need to be wired per the application instructions
Also, before arrival, review the standard treatment guidelines.
- Documents – fact sheets/guidelines – standard treatment guidelines
- Hospital level adults 2006 edition (most useful)
- Paediatric hospital level 2006 edition
Living accommodations
Lodging
The University of Limpopo will provide living accommodations for the exchange students at the University’s expense. Lodging will be in the University housing with semi-private or private rooms. The bathroom facilities will be shared with a member of another room. Housing is free at the hospital during the week with weekends spent traveling or staying at a lodge (Dr. Blessman lives on a game farm and would love to have you stay there). Expect to pay around $75 – $120 for housing on the weekends.
Food
Food is free at the hospital and is generally relatively cheap everywhere else. There is a mall located about 4 km away and food places and a grocery story – 2 km away. Basic food is acceptable to the South African palate. It is suggested that students bring funds to purchase food that may be unique to their own tastes and desires. It’s also a good idea to bring healthy wrapped snacks (protein bars). The water is OK to drink out of tap in the cities.
Transportation
Transportation includes car rental, buses, or taxis. Steering is on the opposite side of the road than you are used to. Car rental runs between $25 – $60 per day with the weekends costing more (Friday – Monday rental costs $160 for automatic vehicle). Friends and faculty from Blessman Med. Ministries may be able to help with transportation on the weekends.
Miscellaneous
It is suggested to bring toilet paper and a flashlight.
Rotations
This rotation includes a family practice rotation either working in the rethabile clinic or hope clinic (AIDS clinic), ER rotation with day shifts or night shifts with opportunities for future rotations (emergency medicine, surgery, internal medicine, OB-GYN or orthopedics.
Classes and schedules for each exchange student can be adjusted to accommodate the student’s interests and needs. Please work out a schedule with the site personnel when you are there.
Dress code
Dress code is professional – semi casual. It is suggested to wear closed-toe shoes and bring a white coat with long pants or skirts. Professional appearance is expected while on official duty. Scrubs are rarely needed.
Miscellaneous
- Money exchange is: 7-8 Rand = $1 U.S. dollar
- No visa is required for this rotation.
- For specific questions about the site itself, feel free to email Treena Sturgeon, D.O. ’09 atTreena.Sturgeon@dmu.edu
- You are able to get access to the library via a signed permission form by Dr. Mbokazi. A computer lab with internet is available during library hours.
- Vodacom and MTN are the two main cell companies in South Africa where you can rent a phone. these links should give you some good information about renting a phone:
South Africa medical student rotation contact information
There are times you may need to make calls either in route to South Africa or while in country. This page is provided to help you know how to make calls from anywhere you may be during your trip. We have also provided contact information of key personnel in both the U.S. and South Africa. Please take this information with you to South Africa.
To call from U.S. to South Africa
011 + 27 + Area Code + Telephone number
To call from the U.K. to South Africa:
00 + 27 + Area Code + Telephone number
To call from the Netherlands to South Africa
00 + 27 + Area Code + Telephone number
To call from Germany to South Africa
00 + 27 + Area Code + Telephone number
To call from Senegal Republic to South Africa
00 + 27 + Area Code + Telephone number
To call U.S. from South Africa
00 + 1 + Area Code + Telephone Number