CCAP Nkhoma Synod Hospital

Locations

Gwenembe, Malawi

Elective Options

Clinical

Usual Capacity

6 Spaces

Cost & Dates

$725 for up to three months elective

$100 fee for additional months

Accomodation not included in this price

Please budget £10 – £15 per night

Multiple dates

FTE Booking Fee applies

Subject Areas

Internal Medicine

Paediatrics

Surgery

Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Community Health

Ophthalmology (speciality elective)

Palliative Care

Nursing (by arrangement)

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Nkhoma Mission Hospital is a faith-based referral hospital in Malawi’s Central Region, offering care across Internal Medicine, Paediatrics, Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Community Health, Ophthalmology and Palliative Care. The hospital provides district-level and teaching services and has a long history of hosting international students.

Electives begin with a four-week attachment to one clinical team, with the option to rotate depending on supervision availability. Career-focused placements in Ophthalmology, Palliative Care and Nursing are also available for students with specific learning goals.

Located about an hour from Lilongwe, Nkhoma offers a welcoming rural environment with essential local services and opportunities for weekend travel across Malawi.

Learn more about the hospital here

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Electives at Nkhoma Mission Hospital begin with attachment to a clinical team for the first four weeks, with the option to rotate to other departments afterwards. Students typically join morning report and receive orientation and a hospital tour during one of the scheduled sessions (Monday, Thursday or Friday).

Most days follow a consistent routine of morning ward rounds, followed by outpatient clinics or departmental activities in the afternoon. Opportunities to observe in theatre, join community outreach, or participate in specialist services can be arranged depending on supervision availability and your learning objectives.

Each student is assigned a departmental supervisor and supported by the Electives and International Visitors Office. Informal peer support from local trainees is common and helps with translation and settling in. Electives are generally Monday–Friday, with optional cultural activities and weekend travel available.

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Nkhoma Mission Hospital offers placements across its main clinical departments, including Internal Medicine, Paediatrics, Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, and Community Health. Students with a specific interest can also apply for Ophthalmology or Palliative Care, both of which offer focused, career-oriented experiences. Nursing placements are also available and include ward-based care, community outreach, and opportunities to learn alongside local nursing students.

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Students stay in guesthouses close to or on the hospital grounds, with several options available at different price points. Popular choices include Chifundo Guesthouse, M’bawa Lodge, CCAP Synod Guesthouse, and Hope’s Inn, all of which offer clean, comfortable rooms with access to shared kitchens for self-catering.

Most lodges have reliable Wi-Fi, borehole or filtered water, and Western-style toilets. Showers vary by lodge, and students should be prepared for occasional fluctuations in water pressure, which is normal for the area. Cooking support and laundry services are often available.

Accommodation is self-catered, and students can shop for groceries at the local market or small shops, or travel to Lilongwe (around an hour away) for wider options.

Please budget between $10 – $25 per night for accomodation. As soon as you book your place at Nkhoma we will connect you with accomodation providers.

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Nkhoma is a mission town in Malawi’s Central Region, located around one hour southeast of Lilongwe. Set at the base of Nkhoma Hill, the area offers beautiful views, walking routes and a calm rural environment. The community around the hospital is close-knit and welcoming, with small shops, a market, a pharmacy and essential services all within reach.

The climate has two distinct seasons: a cool, dry season from May to August and a warmer, wetter period from November to April, when the landscape becomes especially green. Students enjoy the peaceful setting, opportunities for hikes up Nkhoma Mountain, and joining local volleyball or football games with hospital staff.

For wider amenities, Lilongwe is easily accessible and offers restaurants, supermarkets, craft markets and full banking services. Many students also use weekends to explore Malawi more broadly, including Lake Malawi, nearby wildlife reserves and cultural sites.

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Item	Details
4–12 week placement	$725 total (includes elective fee, Medical Council registration & airport transfers)
Additional months	$100 per month (beyond 12 weeks)
Accommodation	$10–$25 per night (paid directly to your chosen lodge)
Availability	Year-round

Included:
Nkhoma elective, Medical Council of Malawi registration, airport pick-up and drop-off, hospital orientation, supervision.

Not included:
Accommodation, meals, flights, visa costs, insurance, SIM/data, weekend travel.

FTE booking fee applies

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Where is Nkhoma Mission Hospital located?
Nkhoma is in Malawi’s Central Region, around 50 km southeast of Lilongwe (around one hour by road). It sits at the base of Nkhoma Hill in a quiet, welcoming mission community.

What kind of hospital is Nkhoma?
It is a faith-based, non-profit referral hospital with district and teaching responsibilities, offering services across Medicine, Surgery, Paediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Community Health, Ophthalmology and Palliative Care.

How long can I stay at Nkhoma?
Electives run for 4–12 weeks, with optional extensions beyond 12 weeks.

Which departments can I work in?
Internal Medicine, Paediatrics, Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Community Health, Ophthalmology, Palliative Care and Nursing.

Can I rotate between departments?
Yes. Students normally stay with one team for the first four weeks and can rotate afterwards depending on supervision availability.

What does a typical week look like?
Days begin with morning report (orientation is usually Mon/Thurs/Fri), followed by ward rounds, clinics, and departmental activities. Community outreach and theatre can be available depending on your team.

Who supervises students?
Each student is assigned a departmental supervisor, with additional informal support from local trainees.

Is electricity and internet available?
Yes. Electricity can be unreliable due to national load-shedding, and most lodges provide WiFi. Students often buy an Airtel SIM for reliable data.

What are the accommodation options?
Guesthouses costing $10–$25 per night, including Chifundo Guesthouse, M’bawa Lodge, CCAP Synod Guesthouse and Hope’s Inn. Self-catering facilities are available.

Is water reliable?
Filtered or borehole water is available, but pressure can vary. Western-style toilets are standard in lodges.

Are meals included?
No. All accommodation is self-catered.

Is Nkhoma safe for students?
Yes. Nkhoma is a peaceful mission community. Lodges and hospital areas have on-site security, and students report feeling safe and supported.

Can I travel during my placement?
Yes. Many students visit Lilongwe, Lake Malawi, local wildlife areas, or hike Nkhoma Mountain during weekends.

What does any fundraising go towards?
Funds raised by students support Nkhoma’s programme to provide nutritious porridge flour for HIV-positive children and lactating mothers who rely on life-saving medication. Malawi is currently experiencing a food security emergency, including in Lilongwe District, and this support helps ensure vulnerable patients can maintain the nutrition needed for their treatment.

How do I get to Nkhoma?
Fly into Lilongwe International Airport. Transport to Nkhoma (about 1–1.5 hours). Airport transfer to Nkhoma is included in the elective price. You will need to organise your return journey at the end of the elective.

Do I need a visa?
Yes. Most students enter Malawi on a free 30-day tourist visa which must be extended locally for longer stays.

What vaccinations or health precautions do I need?
Students should consult a travel health professional. Common recommendations include Hep A & B, Typhoid, Tetanus and malaria prophylaxis. Yellow Fever is needed only if travelling from an endemic country.

Are there cultural or dress expectations?
Dress should be conservative. Medical attire is required in the hospital; scrubs, white coats and stesthoscope.

Is Nkhoma safe for LGBTQ+ students?
LGBTQ+ practices are illegal in Malawi and culturally not accepted. Students should exercise discretion for their safety.