As a medical volunteer in Ghana, you will gain first-hand experience and insight into the Ghanaian healthcare system. Ghana's volunteer programs provide an amazing cultural experience. The medical project offers a fantastic opportunity to spend time in a range of departments in a large government hospital. Learn from local staff and get involved in supporting them.
BACKGROUND TO THE MEDICAL PROGRAM
Access to healthcare in Ghana has improved dramatically since the introduction of the National Health Insurance Act in 2003. However, the healthcare system in Ghana still faces many challenges, particularly in rural areas. The large majority of patients arrive due to illnesses related to poor sanitation.
Malaria is also a huge issue and remains the cause of many deaths and illnesses. In addition, HIV/AIDS continues to harm the lives of so many Ghanaians. Many of the major causes of death and serious illness are avoidable. The work of the healthcare system in Ghana largely centres on treating immediate cases. However, it also extends to educating the local communities on preventative measures.
We offer medical placements for people of all backgrounds. Therefore if you’re a school leaver looking for work experience to boost your university application we can accommodate you. Alternatively, if you’re a nursing/medical student organising an overseas elective placement we also have you covered.
Volunteer opportunities in Ghana provided by will provide you with a platform. Such a platform allows for valuable exposure to medicine and healthcare projects within a new culture. For the reason that many of the facilities, procedures and operations you observe will be completely new to you.
More specifically, they will be completely different from how things are done in your home country. As a medical volunteer in Ghana, you will need to schedule your time and skills effectively to make the most out of your project time. This is to ensure you can maximise your exposure and learning opportunities at the project.
MEDICAL VOLUNTEER PLACEMENT EXAMPLES
Manhyia Government Hospital - Based in central Kumasi, Manhyia Hospital is home to a range of departments. Established in 1962 as a small community clinic, the hospital has grown to become one of the biggest government hospitals in Kumasi. Participants are likely to have the opportunity to observe within more than one division. However, it is recommended that volunteers spend a minimum of one week per department. Such departments include:
Adolescent Counselling, Community Health Education, Dentistry, Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT), General Surgery, Laboratory, Nursing, Maternity & Midwifery, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Ophthalmology, Paediatrics, Pharmacology, Physical Therapy, Physiotherapy, Prenatal, Psychology, Radiology, Ultrasound
Tafo Government Hospital - Located in the town of Tafo in Kumasi, this healthcare institution is governed by Ghana’s Ministry of Health. Tafo Hospital provides care and support for a population of over 60,000 people. There are a range of departments where participants can enjoy shadowing local healthcare professionals on their medical experience. Such departments include:
Dentistry, Dermatology, Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT), Family Health, General O.P.D, General Surgery, Laboratory, Maternity & Midwifery, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Ophthalmology, Psychology, Radiology, Ultrasound
You will find the staff at both healthcare facilities appreciative of your support and positive towards information sharing. Throughout your placement, you will witness a range of unique cases. This may include cases such as Typhoid, Polio and TB. There will also be the chance to ask questions about tropical diseases such as Malaria, Leishmaniasis and Dengue.
Whilst the hospitals adopt modern forms of treatment, you will experience how cases are treated within an under-resourced and poorly staffed healthcare system. Most noteworthy, you will gain exposure during your volunteer work in Ghana to the challenges the local staff face. Furthermore, cultural factors and a lack of education/health awareness will give you an insight into the alarmingly high number of preventable cases admitted each day. Many students also find it fascinating to witness the dynamics of the doctor-patient relationship compared to that of the Western world.
We welcome school leavers and healthcare-related undergraduate students, looking to gain invaluable exposure. Your role is largely observational. The hospitals are poorly resourced and understaffed by Western standards, so you will have a very eye-opening experience. You will be placed in many different departments. As a result, you will receive a broad insight into the Ghanaian healthcare system.
We also offer more specific program opportunities for medical, midwifery and nursing students looking to focus on an overseas elective. You can schedule the placement around your needs and design your work schedule around the requirements for your elective. We can also complete any paperwork required by your university. This is because we receive many healthcare students in Ghana for their elective placement.
STUDENT ELECTIVE OPPORTUNITIES
We are able to provide specialist elective placements for students in Ghana. Students looking to enjoy a unique overseas elective experience can do so with us. Learn directly from health professionals in medical settings like no other. As a Ghana medical volunteer, you can specify during the online application process which clinical elective you wish to undertake. More specifically, highlight your elective experience in the 'Special Requirements' section of the online application. The Ghana team will then have everything planned and in place for your elective in Ghana.
Medical - During your time on a medical elective in Ghana, you will be centrally based at a government hospital in Kumasi. You will shadow doctors and nurses on their daily rounds at the hospital. They will teach you about Ghana’s prevalent diseases such as Malaria and Typhoid. Learn about their diagnoses, management and treatment. Outside of the hospital, complete health checks in rural villages in medical outreach work. Raise awareness of key healthcare issues in Ghana through supporting health education campaigns.
Midwifery - Use your international midwifery experience in Ghana to observe qualified midwives as they consult with patients in the maternity ward. This will give you the chance to see the different conditions of pregnant women in Ghana face. Witness childbirth in the delivery room and assess the differences in care. Be prepared for a lack of maternity support during labour and limited prenatal care beforehand. Your midwifery elective placement in Ghana will be the most eye-opening experience you can wish for.
Nursing - Travel to Africa and experience a nursing elective like no other! Shadow nurses in a government hospital and observe their daily routines. You will experience the important role nurses play in Ghana hospitals as they care for patients, monitor them and give medication. Rotate across the departments to witness different illnesses, injuries and practices. Assist nurses with basic healthcare checks in community outreach work. Clean wounds, check for tropical diseases and conduct blood pressure and blood sugar tests.
OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER AS A MEDICAL VOLUNTEER IN GHANA
Return Airport Transfer - Your return airport transfer is not included in your Program Fee. Our local team can help arrange onward transfers to the airport or an alternative destination from the volunteer accommodation. Making specific arrangements once in Ghana provides more flexibility as plans can often change and participants may be on similar flight plans. The costs depend on your method of transport and your final destination. Participants will usually get the coach back to Accra airport or arrange a short domestic flight from Kumasi to Accra airport instead.
Project Flexibility - As for all our volunteer in Ghana programs, it is possible to combine multiple projects. First of all, please apply for the main program start date you’d like to partake in. Secondly, outline in your online application the details of the other projects you’d like to do. Our local team will finalise the details of your placements during your in-country orientation.
Hands-On Involvement - Your level of involvement at the medical volunteer projects is dictated by a range of factors. First of all your medical experience, but also the duration of program and willingness to get involved. The medical staff are accountable for you whilst you’re under their supervision. Ultimately, it is completely up to them if you are permitted and want to get involved in hands-on procedures.
Previous Ghana medical volunteer participants have been given the chance to administer IV injections, dress wounds etc. However, please note we can never guarantee or promote hands-on involvement regardless of medical experience or background.
Generally speaking those with little or no medical experience assume a largely observational role. If you are studying a medically related degree, then you should have more opportunity to undertake some more basic hands-on involvement. However, to reiterate we can never guarantee or endorse hands-on experience should you choose to get hands-on. Such a decision ultimately lies with the medical staff.
Trained Professionals - Please note this program is not suitable for trained professionals who are looking to practise overseas. This opportunity is only suitable for school leavers & medical students looking to go into the medical or nursing field and wish to learn about a healthcare system overseas.
Group Medical Trips - We provide affordable group trips to Ghana for academic institutions and societies from around the world. From only 699 GBP per person (group leaders travel free), our 15 day trip to Ghana is fully structured, inclusive and led by our experienced team. Organising an overseas trip for large groups involves lots of preparation. From flights and insurance to pre-trip training and that’s even before you’ve looked at organising the itinerary! So that’s where we come in. We really do specialise in the group’s overseas expedition area providing exclusive group trips whilst accommodating large groups of students, on full board options. We guarantee to provide trusted and vetted medical project settings that provide great insight, exposure and learning opportunities for students.
Weekends - Your project work in Ghana runs from Monday-Friday and weekends are free. You are welcome to relax and hang out at the volunteer accommodation but most participants will use this time to travel and explore the country. As a result, you can check out our Ghana Weekend Travel Guide for top tips on how to spend your weekend. We also run two separate weekend trips which you can sign-up to before you depart for Ghana. We offer the Cape Coast & Busua Surf Trip along with the Mole National Park Trip with opportunities running every month.
