Climate and Health Connect Kinondo Kwetu

Climate and Health Connect, Kinondo Kwetu Hospital

Locations

Diani, Kwale County, Kenya

Elective Options

Clinical

Usual Capacity

3 students

Cost & Dates

£930 for 4 weeks
£200 per additional week
Electives available year-round

Subject Areas

General clinical

Paediatrics

Maternity

Audits, data collection and small projects (by prior arrangement)

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Kinondo Kwetu is a small charitable general hospital (50 beds) run day-to-day by experienced clinical officers, supported by rotating visiting consultants. Students are offered a wide range of experience and become involved across all areas of the hospital.

Placements are run in partnership with Climate Health Connect and their Diani-based partner, Global Youth Forum, who may also be able to offer additional community engagement activities depending on availability.

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Dimension	Description
Comfort vs Challenge	Kenya is an easy country to visit, and Diani is 45 mins from Mombasa airport and train station. Hence you can fly direct or via Nairobi where Climate and Health Connect staff will assist with you onward travel by bus or train. Airport pick up, accommodation in Diani and daily hospital daily transfer to Kinondo/Kwale will be organised by CHC who can advise and assist you during your stay. Accommodation is 100m from the beach, safe and of a high standard (shared/single options), including use of a shared pool and is self-catering. The climate can hot but with a sea breeze.
Safety vs Adventure	Diani is an international beach resort town with a good reputation for visitor safety, including solo travelers. This is a very comfortable somewhat westernised destination but there is ample opportunity for travel and adventure throughout Kenya and nearby Tanzania (inc Tsavo National Park and Mt Kilimanjaro).
Sociability vs Isolation	Diani is a vibrant beach resort all year round and both hospital sites are small and sociable. Your accommodation is shared between clinical sites as Diani is inbetween.
Hands-on vs Observational	Kinondo is a small general hospital staffed by an experienced team of clinical officers with visiting consultant support. You can expect plenty of opportunity to get involved. Kwale is a specialist Eye centre that is excited to be welcoming potential future ophthalmologists for focused electives. The exact arrangements for clinical activities are not yet clear.
Engagement opportunities	CHC work the Global Youth Forum and they will be delighted to discuss opportunities for joining their activities (especially football related) and is exploring ways to organise local ‘health camp outreach’ around visiting students.
Costs and value	A very good value placement in a glorious destination. A unique opportunity for budding ophthalmologists or those with a watersport interests.
Travel / tourism	Travel to and around Kenya is straight forward and relatively cheap. There are ample accessible tourist options in Kenya (E.g. Tsavo National Park, eastern coast and islands such as Lamu) and beyond in Tanzania (inc and Mt Kilimanjaro).
Career relevance	Ophthalmology in Kwale can be used to support ST post applications.
Academic opportunities	Healthcare Improvement projects may be feasible in Kwale.

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Hospital activity is highly seasonal and variable, reflecting the hospital’s size and staffing structure. Weekly activities are planned accordingly, taking account of your interests.

Elective students work under the supervision of experienced clinical officers, who are always available onsite or on call, with consultant supervision available on a rotating basis. Arrangements are discussed based on staffing at the time.

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As a small (50-bed) general hospital run day-to-day by experienced clinical officers with rotating visiting consultants, Kinondo Kwetu offers broad exposure across all general clinical services, including paediatrics and maternity where the hospital manages over 1,000 deliveries a year. Students are expected to be flexible and become involved across all areas. Those interested in audits, data collection or small projects will usually find willing supervisors, though this should be arranged well in advance.

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Accommodation is within a safe, exclusive residential development with a shared pool, a 100m walk from the beach in the Diani resort town. Students based at Kinondo Kwetu Hospital and Kwale Eye Centre share this accommodation as Diani sits between the two sites.

Pricing is for shared rooms, with a single-occupancy supplement available (£5/day). The accommodation is fully self-catering. Food is generally cheaper than in the UK at roughly half to two-thirds the UK cost with ample opportunities to eat out as well.

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Diani is a well-established beach resort town on Kenya’s south coast popular with international visitors and known for its safety, including for solo travellers. The setting is comfortable and relatively westernised but there’s plenty of scope for adventure further afield including Tsavo National Park, the coastal islands (such as Lamu) and even day trips into Tanzania towards Mount Kilimanjaro.

Diani is a sociable spot year-round, and with both hospital sites nearby, students often have the chance to explore together. Water sports are widely available locally, alongside the beautiful beach.

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Item	Cost
Diani Accommodation	£240
Diani Transport (daily return)	£290
Hospital Fee ($50/week)	£150
KMPDC Licensing Fee	£150
CHC/GYF In-Country Support Fee	£100
Total for first 4 weeks	£930
Additional weeks	£200pw
Optional Mombasa airport/train pick-up	£60

Not included: Flights, visa, insurance, vaccines, DBS/reference checks, meals, weekend activities or trips.

Electives available year-round.

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How long can I stay at Kinondo Kwetu?
Placements are available year-round, though December isn’t recommended due to the Christmas break. The standard stay is 4–8 weeks on site, with longer placements possible if you’re conducting a Healthcare Improvement (HI) project.

Which departments can I work in?
Kinondo Kwetu is a general hospital, so students are expected to be flexible and become involved across all areas, including paediatrics and maternity (the hospital manages over 1,000 deliveries a year). Rotations are agreed locally based on staffing at the time.

What are the accommodation arrangements?
Students stay in a safe, exclusive residential development with a shared pool, a 100m walk from the beach in Diani. Rooms are shared unless a single-occupancy supplement is paid (£5/day). Students placed at Kinondo Kwetu Hospital and Kwale Eye Centre share this accommodation, as Diani sits between both sites. The accommodation is fully self-catering.

Is transport to the hospital included?
Yes. Daily transport between your accommodation and Kinondo Kwetu is arranged by CHC.

Will someone meet me at the airport?
Pick-up from Diani airport is included. If flying via Nairobi, you’ll be met and accommodated as needed by the CHC team before onward transfer to Diani. Pick-up from Mombasa airport or rail station is available for an additional £60 return.

Do I need a visa?
Yes. An online ETA is required for Kenya — $50 for single entry, or $100 for an East African multiple-entry visa (Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda). Read the conditions carefully and ensure you get the hard-copy label in your passport on arrival.

What vaccinations or health precautions do I need?
Students should consult a travel health professional for personalised advice. Vaccinations, malaria prophylaxis, and other health preparations are the student’s responsibility.

What is the typical schedule?
Hospital activity is highly seasonal and variable due to the hospital’s size and staffing structure. Weekly activities are planned taking account of your interests and agreed with your supervising clinician on arrival.

Do I need insurance?
Kinondo Kwetu doesn’t hold employer’s liability, public liability or professional indemnity cover for visiting students. All students must arrange comprehensive travel, medical and professional indemnity insurance before travel.

Are there any cultural or legal considerations I should be aware of?
Students should wear scrubs (with or without a white coat) and abide by hospital codes and regulations. Kenya criminalises LGBTQ+ identities — same-sex sexual activity is illegal — and attitudes are largely conservative outside coastal tourist areas. The accommodation is in an exclusive residential development, so students are asked to be respectful of other residents.