This is
your chance to gain valuable first-hand experience of the healthcare system in
Ghana. You will get a real insight into the difficulties faced and meet some of
the amazing people trying to help make a difference to the lives of the local
community. During your time on the placement, you will get to shadow and
assist the professional medical staff where you will get an unparalleled
experience. You will be involved in the day-to-day activities of the hospital,
observing the doctors and nurses where you can help out in simple but practical
ways, vastly increasing your own knowledge and understanding of medical
practice.
You
will have the opportunity to be placed in many different departments so that
you can gain a broad overview of the hospital. Your time in the clinics can be
spent in a variety of ways including on maternity wards, operating theatres and
recovery wards. You will get to see first-hand how cultural factors,
scarce resources and a lack of education / health awareness cause an alarmingly
high number of preventable cases admitted each day.
Program Fees (US$)
|
Duration |
All projects |
|
1 week |
N/A |
|
2 weeks |
$900 |
|
3 weeks |
$1,265 |
|
4 weeks |
$1,600 |
|
5 weeks |
$1,870 |
|
6 weeks |
$2,140 |
|
7 weeks |
$2,410 |
|
8 weeks |
$2,680 |
|
9 weeks |
$2,950 |
|
10 weeks |
$3,220 |
|
11 weeks |
$3,490 |
|
12 weeks |
$3,760 |
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Our volunteer medical program takes place in Accra hospitals. Positions are various, and spread through many departments. At any given time we may have availability for volunteer work in the surgery, physical therapy, emergency, maternity, orthopedics, nursing, dentistry, and general departments.
The head of whichever department you are placed in will act as your supervisor. You could be interacting with them directly, or have a unit staff member designated to assist you.
Wherever you're placed, you'll get to enjoy hands on work that gives you ample opportunities. You'll find plenty of time for patient and medical student interaction and observation.
Our health and medical project gives you a unique chance to learn firsthand about a developing country's medical practices. Therefore, you may observe some things that are not commonly practiced in western hospitals. An open mind is of vital importance for the success of your placement. It is required that all volunteers are pre-med or medical students, nurses, doctors, or healthcare professionals of another type.
If you wish, work among several hospital departments can be arranged. However, you must be available to dedicate a minimum of 4 weeks of service to each department. We find that medical students benefit most from multi-department placement.
Level of involvement - Although your role at the hospitals is largely observational, the majority of volunteers are assigned basic hands-on tasks such as taking blood pressure and blood sugar levels, dressing wounds, administering IV injections, recording temperatures and more. Please note we cannot guarantee your level of involvement and this will be at the sole discretion of your supervisor in-country.
Trained professionals - We welcome trained and qualified professionals to come and assist on our medical programme in Ghana. Once you have confirmed your placement we will be in contact to confirm credentials and work out your placement schedule.
Weekends and free time - You will have every weekend off from volunteering and this is the perfect time to explore everything this beautiful country has to offer. You are more than welcome to simply relax around the accommodation and enjoy the nearby beaches, but most volunteers will use this time to travel and see the country.
WHAT TO DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME IN GHANA
In your spare time in Ghana, there are plenty of enjoyable activities and experiences to pursue. Here are some suggestions:
- Experience Traditional Culture: Engage with the vibrant local culture by attending traditional dance performances, participating in festivals, and visiting local markets to experience Ghanaian arts and crafts.
- Explore National Parks: Discover Ghana’s diverse wildlife and natural beauty by visiting national parks like Mole National Park or Kakum National Park, where you can go on safaris and explore canopy walkways.
- Try Ghanaian Cuisine: Sample delicious Ghanaian dishes like jollof rice, banku, kelewele, and fufu to savor the country’s unique flavors and culinary delights.
- Attend Sporting Events: Ghana is passionate about sports, especially football (soccer). Attend a local football match to witness the fervor of Ghanaian sports fans.