KUHeS – Lions Sight First Eye Hospital (QECH)

Locations

Blantyre, Malawi

Elective Options

Clinical

Usual Capacity

2 students

Cost & Dates

$400 total – 4 weeks

$150 Medical Council registration

$100 per additional week

FTE Booking fee £200

Subject Areas

Cataract clinics

Glaucoma clinics

Paediatric ophthalmology

Diabetic eye clinics

Eye trauma

Public health outreach

Research, audits and data projects

Opportunities linked with KUHeS and international training partners

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Lions Sight First Eye Hospital (often known as the Lions Eye Unit) is a leading ophthalmology centre based within Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH) in Blantyre, the main tertiary and teaching hospital for southern Malawi. The unit is the tertiary ophthalmology centre for the region and the national referral centre for paediatric eye conditions.

This placement is designed specifically for students who are genuinely interested in ophthalmology as a future career. With experienced clinicians, active research links and a wide spectrum of clinical cases, the Lions Eye Unit offers a focused training environment that combines clinical learning, exposure to specialist services and opportunities for involvement in public health and research projects.

If you are considering a future in ophthalmology, this is a unique chance to learn alongside senior residents, consultants and KUHeS staff, while gaining insight into eye care delivery in a major East African referral centre.

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Students joining the Lions Eye Unit take part in a structured programme aligned to ophthalmology training at QECH and KUHeS.

A typical week includes:

Morning ward rounds with the ophthalmology team
Outpatient clinics (cataract, glaucoma, paediatric, diabetic eye clinics)
Intermittent theatre sessions (e.g., paediatric cataract surgery)
Eye trauma exposure
Community outreach programmes, including trachoma and onchocerciasis control
Afternoon teaching, including local student lectures and CPD sessions (page 2)

Students must be fully focused on ophthalmology and are expected to engage proactively in clinical learning, reflective practice and ethical conduct. Electives run for 4–6 weeks, with placements available year-round except December due to the Christmas break.

Supervision is provided by senior residents, consultants and the Head of Department, who ensure that students are supported and supervised at all times.

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Item	Details
4-week placement	$400 total (US $100/week)
Extra weeks	$100 per week
Medical Council registration	$150 one-time fee
Accommodation	Approx. $20/night (Medic to Medic House or similar)
Airport pickup	Not arranged by KUHeS; M2M can support (fee applies)
Availability	Year-round

Included:
Supervision, access to clinics and teaching, KUHeS campus facilities.

Not included:
Accommodation, food, flights, visas, SIM/data, weekend travel.

FTE booking fee applies

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Who is this placement suitable for?
Students who have a genuine interest in ophthalmology and wish to gain specialist clinical exposure.

What will I do clinically?
Ward rounds, clinics, theatre exposure, eye trauma, outreach and afternoon teaching.

How many students can be hosted at once?
Maximum two FTE students at a time.

Do I need to speak Chichewa?
No. English is widely used in clinical environments. Doctors and other students assist with translation.

Is accommodation included?
No. Students book independently, with options including the Medic to Medic House and nearby lodges.

Is there WiFi?
Yes on KUHeS campuses and at Medic to Medic accommodation.

What are the dress expectations?
Conservative, professional attire. Scrubs or white coats acceptable. No short skirts, crop tops, or revealing clothing.

Is LGBTQ+ identity legal?
LGBTQ+ practices are illegal in Malawi; discretion is essential.

What does fundraising support?
Funds raised are directed via Medic to Medic, supporting local healthcare students.