Intern: Male medical student
Stay Period: March 29 – April 11, 2026 (2 weeks)
Over two weeks, I completed a clinical internship at Embu Children's Hospital (a private hospital) and Embu Level 5 Hospital (a national government hospital) in Embu, Kenya.
My motivation for this internship was to experience firsthand a healthcare environment vastly different from Japan, and to understand the realities of medical practice in developing countries.
Key Observations
At Embu Children's Hospital, I observed pediatric consultations, vaccinations, and outpatient procedures. The efficiency with which the medical staff operated — often with limited equipment and supplies — was truly impressive.
At Embu Level 5 Hospital, a larger government facility, I was able to observe a wider range of cases including surgical procedures and emergency care. The patient volume was significantly higher, and I witnessed how doctors and nurses managed to provide quality care under resource constraints.
Reflections
This experience has profoundly shaped my perspective as a future physician. The contrast between the Japanese and Kenyan healthcare systems highlighted both the challenges of global health equity and the incredible resilience of healthcare workers in resource-limited settings.
Moving forward, I plan to continue my training in Japan with the goal of eventually contributing to healthcare support in developing countries. I am deeply grateful to ACEF for making this invaluable learning opportunity possible.
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