Hospital and Nursing Questions
When is your next intake to the nursing school?
We take one class into the general Nursing program each year with a notice published in the Herald usually in Late January. You have two weeks to respond to that advertisement. This year we had 2000 applicants for 14 places. Only short listed applicants will hear back from us usually about 6 weeks after they apply.
We also take two midwifery classes per year.
Do you do spine surgery at Karanda?
No. Karanda Hospital is able to provide limited medical care to those with spinal problems.
Do you do Total Joint Replacements: Hips, Knees, Shoulders?
No these are not done at Karanda. Karanda is able to perform an extremely limited number of orthopedic procedures. Joint replacements are generally only done at private or Central hospitals in Zimbabwe. Some other options are the CURE hospitals in Lusaka or Blantyre, and at several locations in South Africa.
Do you do brain surgery?
Karanda Hospital is sometimes able to provide surgical care for infant children with hydrocephalus and rarely for traumatic skull injuries.
What are requirements to get into nursing school?
Five o’levels with grade c or better, obtained in no more than 2 sittings, and must include English and math or a Science (biology, chemistry, or physics or a combination).
Where is Karanda Hospital located?
To reach Karanda Hospital please plan to take the Rushinga growth point road(A 11) from Mt Darwin 34km then turn northwest at the roadsign labelled “Karanda Hospital.” Follow the dust road 7 km and across the Ruya River to the hospital.
At times of high water, usually late December through early March, plan to take the Rushinga growth point rd(A 11) 50km from Mt Darwin then turn northwest at the roadsign labelled “Nyoro Primary School.” Follow the dust road 20km, and across a bridge crossing the Ruya River, to the hospital.
How much do operations, tests, medications, and consultation cost?
The pricing of all services at Karanda Hospital changes on a frequent basis due to changing market circumstances in Zimbabwe. We offer all consultation services including diagnosis, treatment options, scheduling, and pricing in person only. We do not offer any consultation services over email, text, or phone.
Is Karanda Hospital open?
After its founding in 1961, Karanda Hospital was closed from 1978 – 1981 due to circumstances during the War for Independence. Since 1981 it has been continuously open and we are still pleased to evaluate any and all visitors who present to Karanda Hospital monday – saturday, 7am – 5pm.
Are there places to stay near Karanda Hospital?
Visitors who are not hospitalized are welcome to spend the night in private lodging available nearby in the community, in their vehicles, or in simple lodging managed by the hospital on the hospital campus. Please inquire with the hospital administration upon arrival to learn more details.
Missions Questions
Where do you fly into?
When coming to Karanda the only airport that we use is in the capital city, Harare.
Occasionally visitors may wish to do some tourist travel. In this case they may fly into Victoria Falls. From there you would traditionally catch a corresponding flight to Harare.
What should I bring?
Please check with your USA TeamServe coordinator, Zimbabwe TeamServe coordinator and the supervisor in the ministry area with whom you will be working, to see if there is anything they feel you should bring with you, either to help you personally, your ministry, or the ministry with which you will be working.
Please check with your USA TeamServe coordinator, Zimbabwe TeamServe coordinator and the supervisor in the ministry area with whom you will be working, to see if there is anything they feel you should bring with you, either to help you personally, your ministry, or the ministry with which you will be working.
Is it Safe?
Zimbabwe is not a dangerous country. Though there is some political unrest at times, it is generally isolated and not a problem for us. The biggest problems that you have to be very careful of is petty theft and airport theft. We do recommend taking the precaution of keeping all valuables on your person when traveling.
If you take necessary medical precautions you should not have to worry about problems such as malaria.
What is the cost of a VISA?
If you are staying for less than 30 days in Zimbabwe then you can purchase a 30-day visitor’s VISA at the airport upon arrival for US$30 if you carry a USA passport.
If you wish to stay longer than 30 days then we will send you some paperwork and the cost will be $500.
Should we get refundable tickets?
We do recommend refundable tickets. A ticket to Zimbabwe is very expensive to start with and should there be any personal emergencies it would be a very expensive loss to waste those tickets.
Though we have never had to cancel a trip yet it is still a good idea and provides peace of mind on your purchase.
Will someone pick us up at the airport?
We will do our best to make sure that we have someone to pick you up at the airport when you arrive. Please make sure you work with us very carefully and let us know well in advance what time you will be arriving.
Make sure to have our contact details readily available should there be any complications upon arrival, or, there be noone there when you arrive.
Who should we use to book our tickets?
At this time we cannot recommend flights on Air Zimbabwe.
We would recommend flying British Airways, South African Airways or perhaps Ethiopian Air which also has a direct flight to Zimbabwe.
Regardless of the airline, as much as possible, pack any expensive electronics in your carry-on suitcase.
What airlines are reliable?
At this time we cannot recommend flights on Air Zimbabwe.
We would recommend flying British Airways, South African Airways or perhaps Ethiopian Air which also has a direct flight to Zimbabwe.
Regardless of the airline, as much as possible, pack any expensive electronics in your carry-on suitcase.
When is the best time to fly in?
If you have a choice of when you can arrive, we strongly recommend arriving during daylight hours.
As it is with many African cities it is important to be extra careful when traveling to and from the airport. Perhaps due to jetlag or the potential excitment of travel often people let their defenses down during travel.
A distracted western traveller is an easy target for petty theft and a daylight arrival makes that harder.
What shots/medications to I need?
Vaccinations: check with the recommendations of the State Department or the CDC (CDC.com) for Zimbabwe. In general we recommend the following: All childhood vaccinations should be up-to-date; adults should be current on dT, Typhoid, Hep A and B. Yellow Fever and Japanese B encephalitis vaccines are not a requirement for Zimbabwe but may be for countries through which you fly to get here.
Karanda is a malaria belt. We have a high incidence of Falciparum malaria. Current recommendations are that you use Malarone or Mefloquine. Doxycycline may have some efficacy especially if used in combination with pyrimethamine and dapsone but again check with CDC.comfor travel to Zimbabwe.
Medications to bring with you when you travel are : cipro, Tylenol or ibuprofen, and HIV prophylactic medications if you are working in the medical field. The center for disease control is an invaluable resource if you have any other concerns.
