Manguzi Hospital is situated in the North Eastern corner of KwaZuluNatal, about 20 km from the Indian Ocean and the Mozambique border. Between the hospital and the sea is the Kosi Lake and estuary system which is a World Heritage Sight. Tembe Elephant Park and Ndumu Game reserves are also nearby.

During your time at the hospital you will probably gain all round experience, working on the wards, OPD, assisting in theatre, minor surgery, labour ward and you will also visit some of our peripheral primary health care clinics.
The hospital's main vision is to improve the health of the community. For this reason projects such as the training of lay community health workers, the training of primary health care sister and nurses, a nutritional education unit, AIDS clinic and other community activities are being carried out at the hospital.

Zulu is the language most commonly spoken by the patients but all the staff speak English. Translation can usually be done for you by the nursing staff. If you have a desire to stay with a Zulu family for some of your time this can be arranged.

It is advisable to take malaria prophylaxis from October until June .At present we advise weekly mefloquine as first choice prophylaxis and daily doxycycline if you have contraindications to taking mefloquine. You should also bring mosquito repellent and net.

The hospital does have a post-exposure prophylaxis policy for prevention of HIV. Presently our protocol involves testing both the patient and the exposed for HIV and providing a six week course of Zidovudine and Lamivudine.

Summer months are from October until April after which it is advisable to bring a jersey or cardigan and waterproofs as the evenings can become cold. Please respect our community when deciding on daytime clothes to wear around the hospital. In the local culture, it is quite disrespectful for girls to wear short skirts or tight trousers. In the hospital, guys must wear long trousers not shorts.

There is a NBS bank in the local Spar supermarket with an ATM and there is also an FNB & ABSA ATM for withdrawing rands. The Spar is fairly well stocked with food stuff and toiletries.

On arrival at Manguzi you need to contact the "House Mother" to collect the key to your accommodation (key deposit of R20). Students stay in a quaint thatched roofed rondavel next to the swimming pool. It houses three students. Students will be charged R30.00 per day per person.

Travel Instructions
You have a few choices to get to this remote area in South Africa.
A popular method is to catch the Bazz bus which services Back-packers around Southern Africa. Their contact details are in most Back-packer hostels. Presently the closest they come to Manguzi is the small town of Hluhluwe from where we can usually arrange a lift.
A pick up service from the Bazz bus to Manguzi is presently being negotiated with one of the local lodges.

From Johannesburg
The City to City or Transtate Bus leaves on Tuesdays at 08h00 and Fridays at about 19h00 from Park Station and departs Manguzi on Wednesdays and Sundays at about 16h00. The cost is approximately R85.00.
City to City Tel. No. (011) 7732762.

Number of students
A maximum of three medical students are accepted at any one time. November and December preference is given to South African students as this is their normal elective time. Places are granted on a first come first served basis.

Address: Manguzi Hospital
Private Bag X301
Kwa Ngwanase
3973
South Africa
Tel No: +27 (035) 5920 150
Fax No:+27 (035) 592 0152

Email - manguzielective@gmail.com