FOMIC Medical Students on Internship at Buea Regional Hospital

As part of its mission to blend academic excellence with hands-on professional training, FOMIC Polytechnic University’s School of Medical and Biomedical Sciences continues to strengthen its partnership with the Buea Regional Hospital. This collaboration gives medical and biomedical students the opportunity to transform classroom knowledge into real clinical experience—an essential step toward becoming skilled, compassionate healthcare professionals.

A Learning Experience Rooted in Practice

The internship at Buea Regional Hospital is designed to help students bridge the gap between theory and practice. Over the course of several weeks, interns work alongside physicians, nurses, laboratory scientists, and public health officers in key departments such as Internal Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Physiotherapy, Public Health, and Nursing Services.

Through daily ward rounds, patient assessments, laboratory analyses, and community outreach, students gain firsthand experience in modern healthcare delivery. This exposure allows them to sharpen clinical reasoning, diagnostic abilities, and patient-care skills—while understanding the importance of teamwork and communication in saving lives.

Guided Mentorship and Supervised Training

Each FOMIC intern is assigned to a professional mentor who guides them through daily clinical tasks and ethical decision-making. This mentorship ensures that students learn to maintain high standards of professionalism and patient confidentiality.

Dr. Damian Ekwi, Head of the School of Medical and Biomedical Sciences, highlights the importance of this mentorship model:

“Our goal is to raise health professionals who are technically competent and morally grounded. The Buea Regional Hospital internship exposes students to real-life situations that challenge them to think critically and act responsibly.”

Under expert supervision, students conduct patient interviews, take vital signs, assist in medical procedures, and participate in laboratory testing. They also attend clinical conferences and seminars organized jointly by FOMIC and the hospital—platforms that encourage discussion, case analysis, and research presentation.

Community Engagement and Preventive Health

Beyond hospital walls, FOMIC interns are involved in community health campaigns coordinated by the Buea District Health Service. These include free medical screenings, health education sessions, and sanitation awareness programs in local communities. By participating in these outreach initiatives, students learn the value of preventive care and develop leadership and communication skills essential for public health practice.

Such experiences strengthen FOMIC’s vision of producing graduates who not only treat illnesses but also contribute to building healthier societies through advocacy, education, and service.

Student Reflections

For many students, the internship is a life-changing chapter in their medical journey. They describe the experience as demanding yet deeply fulfilling.

“Working directly with patients has taught me empathy and humility,” shares a Nursing student. “Every procedure is a lesson, every recovery a motivation to keep improving.”

Another Medical Laboratory Science intern adds,

“Being part of real diagnostic work makes you appreciate how science directly impacts lives. It’s both challenging and inspiring.”

Building Future Health Leaders

Through its partnership with Buea Regional Hospital, FOMIC Polytechnic University reaffirms its commitment to producing competent, innovative, and ethical healthcare professionals. The internship empowers students to develop confidence, adaptability, and the sense of responsibility required in today’s complex medical field.

As these future health leaders complete their rotations, they leave with enhanced clinical skills, stronger professional ethics, and a renewed passion for service. Their time at Buea Regional Hospital embodies FOMIC’s philosophy—learning through experience, leading through compassion, and serving humanity through knowledge.