Mark Wilson gives you the low down on planning your elective in Gambia

Gambia is a thin country--55 km wide but 530km long--situated on the west coast of Africa. It projects inland on both sides of the River Gambia and is totally surrounded by Senegal. From Banjul it is possible to arrange trips to Senegal. It is not a popular elective destination, possibly because there aren't many hospitals and most voluntary work has to be arranged through non-governmental organisations.

Medicine

Basic medical services are available to most of the population; however, neither medical care nor medicines are free. There is a vast shortage of doctors (only one for every 12 000 people) and a quarter of state doctors work in the main hospitals in the capital. Malaria, diarrhoea, malnutrition, tuberculosis, anaemia, snakebites, dysentery, pneumonia, burns, and broken limbs are common, especially in the bush. Prevalence of HIV is about 2%.

The three main hospitals in Gambia are the Royal Victoria in the capital, Banjul, the new facility in Farafenni, and the Bansang hospital in the remote area of Bansang.

Vaccinations, visas, and work permits

You may need to think about vaccinations against hepatitis A and hepatitis B, typhoid, polio, and meningitis if you are not already covered. Malaria is also a problem--speak to your occupational health department for advice.

Commonwealth nationals and those of countries which have abolished reciprocal visas do not need a Gambian visa for a stay of less than 90 days.

DAVE PENMAN/REX

Useful addresses

• Official website of the Republic of Gambia--www.gambia.com
• Ministry of Health, The Quadrangle, Banjul; tel +220 227 300; fax +220 223 178
• The Gambian Medical and Dental Council, Kanifing (next to the Post Office), Kombo St Mary's Division
• The Gambia Medical and Dental Association, PMB 430 SerreKunda, Tel: +220 495 934 Fax: 495 071
• University of The Gambia Medical School, Muammar Ghadaffi Avenue, Banjul; tel +220 202 310; www.unigambia.gm--The medical school was founded in 1999 and had an initial intake of 25 students. Most people arrange electives directly with the hospitals

Hospitals

• The Royal Victoria Hospital (Independence Drive, Banjul; tel +220 228 223; fax +220 225 832) is one of the main hospitals in the capital. There are many unusual conditions. They also arrange field trips
• Bansang Hospital (Bansang, Gambia; tel +220 674 222; fax +220 674 425; www.bansanghospitalappeal.com) is a 160 bed hospital deep in the African bush, 200 miles east by road from the coast and is responsible for the health care needs of around 600 000 Gambians. Patients from Senegal, Mali, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Conakry, and refugees from Sierra Leone are also seen. The hospital was built in 1938
• Farafenni Hospital (Farafenni) is the other main hospital, situated half way along the Gambia River
• Ahmadiyya Hospital (Talinding, PO Box 708, Banjul; tel +220 373 724; fax +220 390 623)

Research opportunities

The MRC Unit (Fajara, Atlantic Road, PO Box 273, Bajul; fax +220 495 442/496 919) is principally for research, although it does have a small hospital with 40 beds

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