Medicine & Physiotherapy - GHANA Project Information for Medicine in Ghana

Volunteer Medical Placements in Ghana

Our medical placements in Ghana are based in Accra, Cape Coast, Kumasi and the Akuapem Hills. The placements in Accra, Kumasi and Cape Coast are in busy city hospitals, where there is much to observe and help with. The placements in the Akuapem Hills are in smaller hospitals but which have a larger catchment area, so volunteers will come into contact with people from all over Ghana.

Flexibility, on both sides, is the key to all our placements. As long as you are prepared to work hard and do the best you can no-one will insist on you doing something you are not happy about.

Volunteers have the opportunity to work in several different wards and departments of the hospital they are placed in. The departments include accident and emergency, paediatrics, maternity, pharmacy, physiotherapy and surgery.

In some departments of the hospital you will feel like you are of benefit by helping with the workload. However, in other departments you will primarily be an observer, which means that although you are not directly helping the hospital, you are increasing your own knowledge of medicine, knowledge which you can later put into practice.

You will often join the doctors on ward rounds, who will be keen to answer questions about the various cases you are seeing, some of which may be shocking and extreme. The exact structure of what you do when you are at the hospital will be worked out between you and your supervisor when you arrive. You will usually be expected to work six hours a day, normally between 8am and 2pm, but you are free to stay later or work an afternoon or night shift to observe surgery or experience a night in ER. Depending on your interests, confidence and ability you may also be able to carry out observations, tests and injections.

Medical placements can be very challenging and hectic, but volunteers prove very helpful and ultimately have a very rewarding experience. Your presence and assistance will be greatly appreciated by both the patients and the staff.