MedForce: Medics Overseas

Location

Situated on the west coast of Africa, along the Gulf of Guinea, Ghana offers a mixture of tropical rainforests and national parks, medieval Portuguese castles, and sprawling townships and cities. A former British colony, Ghana was the first black African country to become independent in 1957. It is politically stable, but among the poorest countries in the world. You will be based in Accra, the country’s capital. Accra is a large and busy city, with a population close to two million people.  

Project Information

Physiotherapy in developing countries is usually under-funded and under-staffed, and it is no different in Ghana. Although there are a number of leading physiotherapists working in the country, Ghana openly welcomes help in this struggling area of sports and community development. As a volunteer you will work in two main areas: a clinic and sports institutions.

Clinic Project
The community clinic we assist in is under-staffed and under-funded. Many of the patients' conditions reflect the problems Ghana faces: strokes due to hypertension, car accidents, and a high proportion of crush injuries to the hand and tendons from cutting and grinding machinery. A hand injury in Ghana usually means no compensation and no income, and only those that can afford the two pound fee per session have treatment. There is also a lot of facial palsy from otitis media, which is treated with electrical stimulation. The clinic does have equipment, including a hydrotherapy pool, but it has a long way to go before the clinic can cope with the needs of the local community. Volunteers will also be invited to teach Ghanaian physiotherapy students and work with current staff to share ideas and impart valuable knowledge from their 'western' training.

Sports Institutions
As a sports physiotherapist you will be working in association with the Ghana Football Association (GFA). This institution struggles to survive on a very tight budget and, as a result, the treatment of injuries and care of Ghana's top players is often neglected. Through the GFA, you will have the chance to work as a physiotherapist in one of the leading Premier League football clubs and Lower divisions. There is lack of training within the field of sports physiotherapy and volunteers will be able to leave behind valuable new procedures and treatment methods for the teams and individuals they work with.

A Typical Day
You will work Mondays to Fridays, generally for around six hours a day. You might occasionally work during weekends, but you will generally be free to enjoy yourself and relax.

Your Role
This programme will allow you to contribute to an important area of community and sports development in Ghana. You will provide the hands-on assistance and care that is usually unavailable to many injured locals as well as dedicated athletes. This will provide you with a great career-enhancing experience and it will, at the same time, give you a better understanding of the hurdles many physiotherapists and medical professionals have to overcome in developing countries. Volunteers need to be self-motivated and prepared for some long days. But since you will be able to make a real positive impact, the project will be a very rewarding experience.

Accommodation
You will stay in our communal house, which is basic but comfortable. You will share a room and bathroom with up to three other volunteers. The accommodation is centrally located to the placements. Shops and other useful amenities are either a short walk or taxi ride away.

Getting there
Please book your flight to arrive into Kotoka International Airport (airport code ACC), where you will be met by one of our co-ordinators.

Support
Throughout your stay, you will be assisted by our volunteer co-ordinator. On the projects, you will also be assisted by qualified doctors and nurses.

Highlights

- Help improve the level of physiotherapy in impoverished areas
- Learn about the Ghanian health system
- Gain valuable hands-on physiotherapy experience
- Help raise awareness on health issues in local communities
- Immerse yourself in the rich Ghanian culture
- Explore Accra and its beautiful surroundings

Requirements

This project is suitable for the following categories:

	Category 2: Physiotherapy students on electives
	Category 3: Fully qualified physiotherapists

Please note that as a qualified physiotherapist, you may be able to get involved in a greater variety of tasks than as a student.

You have to be 18 years or older to participate in this programme.

Price

A four-week placement on this programme costs £1199. You can extend your stay for an additional price of £130 a week.

Included

Included in the price are:
 Accommodation
 Three meals a day
 Airport transfers
 Constant guidance and assistance by a volunteer co-ordinator
 A briefing day before departure (includes a barbeque)
 Your personal web page which provides you with all necessary pre-departure information
 A Gapforce t-shirt
 A brief orientation programme on arrival
 Your project fee also includes a donation of physiotherapy equipment to the local communities
 

Not Included

Not included in the price are:
 Flights
 Insurance
 Spending money
 Daily transport to your projects
  

Maps