As a medical student, Corvin Ravaioli is influenced by the Swiss healthcare system. He hoped that his internship at the Rhein-Valley Medical Center would broaden both his cultural and medical horizons. “I knew that Maji Moto was rural and therefore informal,” he says. “I didn’t think that some people would walk for three hours to receive treatment.” With this impression in mind, the medical student got to know everyday life at the medical center. “I was surprised at how useful the ultrasound machine is for diagnostics.” It is used, for example, to find out whether abdominal pain has organic causes. Ultrasound allows a radiologist to quickly pinpoint the problem. However, the specialist is brought in from outside and is present at the Medical Centre every Thursday.
Efficient diagnostics
Corvin prepared the examinations with laboratory tests: “The radiologist then confirmed or rejected the diagnosis and adjusted the therapy accordingly.”
Every day, around 60 patients seek help at the day clinic. Viral flu among children at the neighboring school and fungal infections are common. “Close physical contact between people promotes the spread of disease.” Malaria, tuberculosis, epilepsy, and bacterial infections also occur repeatedly.Trust is growing
Every Wednesday, external therapists are called in. They do targeted strengthening exercises with children who have cerebral palsy. Prenatal care is already very important, with around eight mothers attending each week. Corvin says: “It was impressive to see pregnant women building more and more trust and appreciating the medical help.” Although they were skeptical about the technology at first, they became more and more relaxed over time. “They looked forward to the ultrasound so they could see from the images that their child was doing well.” Corvin says:
“I didn’t think that
some people would walk for three
hours to
receive treatment.”
Corvin sums up that Kenyans tick differently than Swiss people. “They have different cultures and ways of thinking.” The therapies, on the other hand, are no different. The intern remembers that everyone was open with him and that his opinion mattered.
About Corvin Ravaioli
The 24-year-old grew up in Goldach SG and is in his final year of study at the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Bern. He has already gained clinical experience in urology and surgery.
Corvin would like to focus on interdisciplinary collaboration with other disciplines in his future career. This motivated him to travel to Kenya and complete a four-week internship at the Rhine Valley Medical Center in Maji Moto.
Corvin’s father has supported our association for years and has participated in fundraising campaigns. This inspired the medical student to learn from our clinic director and her team. Violet Maghangha (right in the picture) understands the medical and cultural needs of the population and tailors her work accordingly. This is just as important in Switzerland as it is in Kenya.
