Rural Clinics

Placement number: 0126
Location: Accra, Ghana
Preferred Languages: English
Date:  All Year 
Minimum Period:  3 weeks

Over the past 20 years, the international non-government organization AMURT and its women-focused branch AMURTEL have been working in rural areas of Ghana providing health care (primary clinics and outposts) and increasing accessibility to drinking water. Most of its past projects are now sustained and managed by community members. Currently the three main clinics that AMURT and AMURTEL are assisting with are Seva, Domiabra, Akwakwaa, and Nyanoa. Seva is in a very remote area of the Volta Region, in eastern Ghana. At times cases too serious for the staff to handle are rushed to a hospital 25 kilometers away by the Landrover 'Ambulance.' Domiabra is in the Greater Accra Region and Akwakwaa is in the Central Region.

All the rural clinics regularly serve patients within a 10 kilometer radius, but some travel from much more distant villages. Common complaints are diarrhea, malaria, typhoid, colds, and injuries. The clinics also deliver babies and provide antenatal and postnatal support. They are also training new health workers to open new outposts in other needy areas and focus especially on the needs of women and children.

The projects are all situated in villages, which, compared to most of the 'West' are almost timeless and very embracing. However, some clinics have no electricity, so working late by lantern occurs with special cases. Also, water is sometimes a problem, so bucket baths are the way to go.

Role of Volunteer

1. Nurses, doctors, and medical students are needed. You must be confident to make decisions and implement your own ideas, sometimes with little guidance from staff.
2. You will receive, diagnose, and treat patients, train local staff, and organize community outreach programs such as teaching hygiene, sanitation, nutrition, family planning, HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness, etc.

Cost

At Seva volunteers will pay US $350 the first month and $100 for subsequent months. Food and accommodation are included in this cost. At Domiabra and Akwakwaa the price is US $300 for 1-3 months, $450 for 3-6 months, and $550 for 6 or more months, because volunteers will buy and cook their own food in the facilities provided in the volunteers' quarters.

Travel

Airport pick-up.