KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Spring 2027
South Africa is a country with a turbulent history, which has resulted in large inequalities in wealth, education, and health. Despite the challenges it faces, South Africa has developed significant expertise in the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, particularly TB and HIV.
This year, GHP is excited to place students in one of two hospitals in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: Mseleni Hospital and Emmaus Hospital.
Both Mseleni Hospital and Emmaus Hospital are managed by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health and serve large, varied populations through numerous clinics and mobile clinics in their catchment areas. Most patients at both hospitals speak Zulu, though medical cases are discussed in English. Patients can be referred by their local clinics or visit directly. For specialized care, they are referred to tertiary hospitals.
Mseleni Hospital
Located in the remote uMkhanyakude District of KwaZulu-Natal, about 60km from the Mozambique border, Mseleni Hospital began as a mission project in 1936. It serves approximately 90,000 people with its six wards.
Emmaus Hospital
Emmaus Hospital has a rich history serving the Drakensberg region. Emmaus Hospital is a multi-ward facility catering to the diverse healthcare needs of its community.
Inanna Carter '22 and Boris Pavic '22 reflect on their MS4 global health clinical rotation in rural South Africa
In the spring of 2027, students will have the opportunity to work with a wide range of patients at both hospitals, including those presenting with common opportunistic infections associated with HIV (i.e., tuberculosis and cryptococcal meningitis).
The experience can be tailored to student interests, with opportunities on the Ob-Gyn, Pediatric, Surgery and general Internal Medicine services. Supervision of UCLA medical students is by family physicians on site, and students work alongside Clinical Officers and the equivalent of residents and medical students from the University KwaZulu-Natal (“UKZN”) School of Medicine.
The rotation has been developed with formal goals and objectives. We are seeking students with an interest in caring for underserved populations, and those with enthusiasm for learning more about global health, infectious diseases, and health care delivery in resource-challenged settings. Students will be expected to demonstrate the highest level of maturity, professionalism, and cultural sensitivity.
Details
Funding and Housing
Students will receive roundtrip airfare and an additional $1,000 in financial support for the South Africa clinical rotation. The host institution will provide housing recommendations. These funds are intended to help offset expenses such as housing, local transportation, and other travel-related costs. Students should anticipate contributing personal funds, as the total cost of the rotation may exceed the financial support provided by the Global Health Program.
Travel and Accommodations
Mseleni: Students should plan to fly into Durban and rent a car for the approximately 4-hour drive to Mseleni Hospital. The rental car can be kept for the duration of the three-week rotation. Accommodation options include a local homestay near the hospital or lodging in Sodwana Bay, located approximately 20 minutes from the hospital by car.
Emmaus: Students should plan to fly into either Durban or Johannesburg and rent a car for the approximately 3 to 4-hour drive to Emmaus Hospital. The rental car can be kept for the duration of the three-week rotation. Several accommodation options are available near the hospital.
Application and Orientation
Applications for this elective are due Monday, September 7, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Interviews for this elective will primarily be held on Saturday, September 19, 2026. Limited interview appointments may also be available on Friday, September 18, 2026, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., and Thursday, September 24, 2026, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Students selected for this rotation must attend a mandatory, full-day pre-departure orientation in Los Angeles on Saturday, February 6, 2027.
Rotation Dates and Post-Rotation Requirements
Rotation dates for this elective have been confirmed. Students applying to this three-week elective must be able to commit to the rotation from April 12 through April 30, 2027. Please note that international travel will require departing Los Angeles approximately two days before the official start of the rotation to allow sufficient time for travel and arrival in South Africa.
Following the rotation, students will be expected to complete written evaluations, participate in a mandatory full-group debrief on Thursday, June 3, 2027, from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m., and attend a site-specific debrief, which will be scheduled following their return and prior to graduation.
Questions
Questions regarding this rotation should be directed to Dr. Traci Wells at TWells@mednet.ucla.edu.