Start Date: Year Round
Age: 18+
Skills: Medically certified volunteer, health professionals are needed most. Volunteers who have knowledge and experience about health issues
Language: English (basic level)
Nationality Restrictions: No restrictions.
Time Commitment:
Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
Highlights
Work in professional medical environments like hospitals and clinics
Being exposed to healthcare practices in a different culture, which can be a tremendous learning experience.
Exact Volunteer tasks are determined depending on the volunteer’s qualifications, experience and knowledge.
Medical and Nursing students assist the local doctors and nursing staff in daily tasks
Volunteers work on weekdays and explore the city on weekends
Description
Samba Africa is committed to delivering lasting change for the people of West Africa, but we couldn’t do it without our incredible team of medical volunteers.
From surgeons and anesthetists to nurses and therapists, each one of the many medical staff who has given their time, knowledge and skills to us over the years are driven by a shared goal: to build a better future
Our volunteer work in Ghana has proven that the creation of sustainable, locally-staffed reconstructive surgery services is possible – and that it can have a tremendously positive effect on the lives of some of the world’s poorest people.
Be a part of Medical Volunteering Program in Ghana to work along with doctors, nurses and local staff in hospitals and community clinics. Volunteer tasks are determined depending on the volunteer’s qualifications, experience, and knowledge. Qualified doctors and nurses can carry full day to day treatment of various diseases.
Medical students can assist the doctors and nurses in their work and observe their work to gain knowledge and experience.
Qualified medical Professionals
work in the areas of maternal health, mental health, surgery, laboratories, counseling, and testing
This program is particularly suited for those volunteers who are interested in health issues and doing ‘hands-on’ clinical work. Volunteers schedule is flexible and can vary depending on the needs of the placement.
As a medical and Healthcare volunteer, you will also have the opportunity to observe diagnoses and treatment of conditions not common in Europe and North America, like leprosy, typhoid and malaria.
Typical day
On any given day, you will work shifts alongside your supervisors. These shifts typically take the following forms:
Morning: 8am – 2pm
Afternoon: 2pm – 8pm
Night: 8pm – 8am
Each shift starts with rounds as you follow the consulting doctor and learn about each patient’s case and course of treatment. Use this opportunity to ask plenty of questions. After rounds, you’ll assist nurses with patient care. You can watch them administer medication and treatment, and help to update patient files. Nurses always appreciate help in general patient care as well such as feeding, bathing, and bed changing.
Please note that hospitals in Ghana are often busiest in the mornings. Don’t be late for the morning shift if you’d like to witness the bulk of the day’s work!
Afternoons are a great opportunity to get to know the staff and patients better.
Volunteers in the Medical Healthcare program in Ghana work along with doctors, nurses and local staff in hospitals and community clinics in Kumasi, Ghana. Volunteer tasks are determined depending on the volunteer’s qualifications, experience and knowledge.
Qualified doctors and nurses can carry full day to day treatment of various diseases.
Medical students can assist the doctors and nurses in their work and observe their work to gain knowledge and experience.
Work in the areas of maternal health, mental health, and surgery, laboratories, counselling and testing. Wound dressing under direct supervision of nursing staff.
Blood pressure, pulse and temperature measurements (if competent)
Assist patients with activities such as getting them from one service point to another.
Weighing patients, holding babies/adults to be weighed etc
General assistance to the medical staff wherever required, and wherever experience and expertise allow.
Pre Medical students assist the local doctors and staff in doing basic tasks such as checking weight and temperature of the patients, cleaning wounds and also doing administrative tasks in the placement. Help with physical therapy and rehabilitation, Provide basic care
Distribute medicines, Perform basic first aid, Help with medical procedures, Provide assistance in the in-day emergency room, Partner with local doctors, nurses and therapists.
Additional Info
After the participants arrive, there will be a Program orientation (of at least 2 days)
Program Orientation takes place the day after arrival day. It includes introduction to Ghana, introduction to the work program, and introduction to the living and working environment.
Transportation costs during orientation are covered by SAVO, culture, lifestyle of the people, food, safety measures etc.
Introduction to Ghana: The following areas are covered: communication, transportation, safety, travel opportunities, the culture of Ghana, survival language, health matters, socially accepted behaviours, and work ethics in Ghana.
Introduction to the work program (including the expectations of the institution and the host project) for volunteer/internship program participants.
Introduction to the Living and Working Environment: The participants will be shown how to take bus from home to work place, to town, to the nearest supermarket, to the nearest internet cyber, to the nearest ATM, etc.
The participants will be given a print out of the completed program detail form (including 24/7 hotline for support, work place address, work phone number, typical duties at work, host family address, host family phone number, useful contacts and other program details).
Free-time activities
Weekends, are free days to volunteers. You may choose to travel out of town to see the many interesting sights and sounds in other parts of Ghana or hang out with your fellow volunteer(s) and/or locals in the neighborhood. (At their own expenses)
Weekend trips available include visits to Mole National Park in the Northern Region of Ghana. This National Park offers a great Safari-like experience and is one of the biggest Elephant Sanctuaries in Africa with the chance to spot Lions, Leopards & Antelopes in their natural habitat. Volunteers can also take a trip to Cape Coast in the Central Region of Ghana to relax in the beautiful beaches and see the famous Cape Coast castle, the Kakum Canopy walkway and Elmina castle, where slave trade begun.
Programs Fee
| WEEKS | FEES ($) |
| 2 | 450 |
| 4 | 650 |
| 5 | 812 |
| 8 | 1300 |
| Extra week | 162.5 |
What’s Included?
Airport pickup upon arrival
Hotel and meals in Accra upon arrival, before transfer to project site
Transportation to project site first day
Accommodation
Utilities
Meals – Breakfast, lunch and super.
Certificate
Info on Airport Pickup at Kotoka International
On the day (or night) of your arrival, SAMBA AFRICA VOLUNTEERING (SAVO) staffs will be at the Accra Kotoka International airport to welcome you and transfer you to a hotel with air-conditioned rooms and restaurant only in the night of your arrival, Orientation and transportation to your assigned placement will be done the next morning following your arrival day but arrival in day time you will be transported to your destination (Kumasi).
Accommodation
Accommodation belongs to the host-families. There are always other people in the house as well; and they would be willing to give you some assistance. You would be placed in the same location with another volunteer – unless you specifically state that you like to be stayed alone. Participants coming as couple or pair will not be placed with other volunteers in the same bedroom. Volunteer have their separate room – with a lock and key. It is advisable to come along with mosquitoes nets.
Bedroom (Double) Bedroom (Single)
Bungalow Guest Family
Food & Beverages
Host families will provide volunteers with breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.
Breakfast is usually ready by around 7am; however volunteer can eat later if you prefer to get up late. Lunch is usually packed by your host family in a lunch box so that you can eat at your project if you wish. Dinner is usually served around 6pm.
If you have special eating needs, you can inform us. Even though special eating needs are not something we can guarantee, we will do our best to meet your needs.
What’s NOT included?
Visa, flights, travel insurance or vaccinations, Internet are NOT included in the program fees.
Airport
Kotoka International Airport (ACC) in Accra. We assist you to find cheap flights to Ghana.
Travel Insurance
Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft – travel insurance for Ghana provides security and is a plus to have.
Vaccines
If you are intending to volunteer in Ghana you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Ghana.
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