There is a significant shortage of skilled health workers in Africa. In Ghana, the doctor to patient ratio is about one doctor per 13,000 people, a figure far below the World Health Organization global standard pegged at 1:5,000. Uganda has one of the worst healthcare records in the world, ranking 186th out of 191 nations. Some 70% of Ugandan doctors and 40% of nurses and midwives are based in urban areas, serving only 12% of the Ugandan population. This means that the majority of the population does not receive the standard of health care that most of us are used to, if they receive any at all. Hospitals are often understaffed. With limited resources available to the underpaid medical staff, there is the urgent need for more helping hands in the form of volunteering to add to the staffs’ efficiency, helping serve more people in need.

Elghana therefore need you to help improve the health of Africans in need. You do not have to be a fully qualified medical professional to join our healthcare volunteer programme. Whether you are hoping to get into the medical field, an undergraduate, or a trained professional, you can help save lives. You need to be enthusiastic, hardworking, self-motivated and be able to work under your own initiative or as part of a team.

With projects in various parts of the countries, you will be volunteering in one of the busy hospitals, clinics or health centres dealing with a wide range of illnesses and conditions some of which you may not be familiar with such as malaria and typhoid. You will be working with other health workers who are experienced in their fields and are willing to offer any assistance you may require to make your stay a success. You are sure to encounter a huge difference in healthcare between developed and developing worlds, obtaining a great deal of insight into how hospitals operate in the developing world. Most people will not visit the hospital unless they are seriously ill; usually consulting local healers for traditional treatments if they are unwell. You are therefore sure to encounter different levels in the advancement of the various illnesses. Depending on your level of qualification, medical, nursing, midwifery, student, pre-med, undergraduate or passionate, you shall be given the right orientation that shall empower to to be involved in different activities in the health center and care work in hospitals and clinics, observing or assisting the doctors and nurses at work. You may also be asked to spend time in a variety of departments such as the maternity, pharmacy, surgery, physiotherapy, accident and emergency and surgery. You shall also go on outreach campaigns to offer health and education to people in their communities, including immunization and post-natal care.

Volunteer's responsibilities
This is dependent on the qualification and experience of the volunteer/intern and the needs of the sector as it shall be during your work period. Diagnoses, monitoring, administering treatment, care and support for both out-patient and in-patient clients. Prenatal, labor and postnatal care. Surgical ward and support ranging from minor cuts, hernia, CS, orthopedic, general and specialist. Education, monitoring, early identification, referal to a hospital or early treatment during community outreach. Writing reports and history of patients and community outreach care. Immunizations and health education during community outreach.

Program Objectives
To compliment the effort of stakeholders to provide basic health care to all people in their own communities as a policy of mitigating poverty.
To offer health care and education as the basis for improving the livelihood of the underprivileged communities.
To offer staff support to the insufficient staffs of the rural healthcare.
To offer traditional health care providers an improvement in their methods to efficiently support the modern ones.
To offer volunteers an opportunity to discover practical and innovative health care practice and first aid application with little or no resources.
To create a bond between the volunteer and the local community or health center so that in the near future, the volunteer can return to assist in a higher capacity when knowledge or resources has grown for the volunteer.
To promote cross cultural understanding.

Who can volunteer?
Medical Doctors, Nurses, Pharmacists, medical and sciences students and pre-med students can volunteer in this program. If you have an intention to switch career or proceed to a career in a health care sector, You could have an opportunity to learn how it is going to be like and gain first hand understanding. You can volunteer as a group or an individual. Your service is highly needed. However you should understand that you will not do anything that may stigmatize any of the people you meet in the course of your work. You need to have an open mind and a willing heart.

WHAT YOU GAIN
In addition to a gratifying experience, making a difference in the lives of people and saving lives, our placements offer additionally an exceptional learning opportunity especially for those pursuing or considering a career in health-related fields. Because the project sites are in need, you are sure of improving upon and increasing your skills, knowledge and understanding of healthcare in a developing country. Our placement also gives you an insight into the African medical system and a lot of exposure to tropical medicine. You will return with many experiences with the satisfaction of bringing life-saving services to many people.