Nayyar Jamie
Sixth-year Medicine student
I would like to say a massive thank you to the Vaughan Williams Fund for financially supporting my Obstetrics & Gynaecology elective to the Mahamodara Maternity Hospital in Sri Lanka.
As this was my first experience of healthcare abroad, and my first experience of Asia, there were a lot of firsts! First delivery, first surfing lesson, first time in a tuk-tuk, and first time wearing a lab coat to the hospital. Ward rounds were fast-paced and the consultant had us assessing the lie of each pregnancy and estimate the number of weeks. The local medical students were very welcoming, and it was impressive watching them present the patients on the ward round. With their teaching I was able to use pinard horns to listen to foetal heartbeats, including two sets of triplets! So overall a great teaching experience which improved my antenatal examinations on return to the UK.
Outside of the hospital I was able to experience a lot of the local culture and wildlife. A couple of the highlights were: reaching the top of Pidurangala rock with views of the whole of Sigiriya, and spotting leopards on safari at Yala National Park.