Ghana: Medical Volunteer Program.

Duties.

Depending on your specialty and qualification, you would have the opportunity to shadow in a local medical facility, work in a maternity/labor ward, work in a surgical department, do outreach and informal clinic work (anything from health education to screening).

Why?

Ghanaian people living in the cities and the big towns are a bit fortunate receiving good medical services because most of the medical facilities have trained practitioners at post to serve them even though the doctor-patient ratio remains high. The situation in the small towns and the rural areas is quite different; there is a significant shortage of trained health workers at the under-resourced health facilities to provide various medical services. Different governments have tried solving this problem by training a good number of medical workers each year to fill up the shortages, but it is still not working. This is because most of these trained professionals leave for developed countries for various reasons that include improved conditions of service and further studies.

As a result, Travelers Africa   through its local partner organization has created an enabling environment for volunteers to assist, learn and acquaint themselves with medical procedures at these under-resourced areas to help the affected people and communities.

With many activities to get involved in, this is an ideal medical program for qualified practitioners, medical students, or a complete beginner. It provides an opportunity to work closely with local staff and to handle medical cases, providing health services to the local people.

It is important to note that most of the facilities we are associated with are of poor quality and you are also to bring your own scrubs, lab coat, etc.