Medical & Healthcare Volunteers in Ghana

Medical care is a necessity of human rights and these hospitals and clinics that we partner with strive to provide the best care. Due to this, they are very welcoming of anyone who is willing to help.

Volunteers will be placed with doctors and nurses in actual care facilities in Ghana. They will increase their medical knowledge while actively participating in the daily operations of hospitals and medical centres.

Volunteers will provide all due assistance to doctors, nurses and the rest of the healthcare staff in hospitals and clinics in Ghana. Certified doctors and nurses will provide the daily treatment of illness while medical and nursing students are placed as assistants. There are many different departments available including maternity, pediatrics, mental health, surgery, pharmacy, accident and emergency, physical therapy, etc. This is a great opportunity to learn about different techniques from other countries and to improve your own knowledge.

This volunteer experience is a wonderful opportunity for learning and honing skills. You will learn what it is like to work in the daily operations of the hospital as well as the importance of working with doctors and nurses. OGVO medical / nursing programs are found all around cities in Ghana. Volunteer nurses will have the opportunity to be a part of medical outreach work such as visiting local orphanages or traveling to remote villages to provide medical assistance.

Your level of involvement at the project is dictated by medical experience, duration of program and willingness to get involved. The medical staffs are accountable for you whilst you’re under their supervision, so it is completely up to them if you are permitted and want to get involved in hands-on procedures. Whilst previous OGVO volunteers have been given the chance to administer IV injections, dress wounds, taking blood pressure etc, we can never guarantee or promote hands-on involvement for participants regardless of their medical experience or background.

Generally speaking, those with little or no medical experience assume a largely observational role. If you are studying medically related degree, then you should have more opportunity to undertake some more basic hands-on involvement. However, to reiterate we can never guarantee or endorse hands-on experience should you choose to get hands-on, as the decision ultimately lies with the medical staff.

Highlights

• Earn international volunteering experience by assisting doctors and nurses in treating patients in Ghana.
• Get the opportunity to explore different medical specializations, from pediatrics and maternity to mental health and surgery.
• Learn skills and techniques from seasoned doctors and nurses.
• Spend a few weeks in Ghana and immerse in its rich culture and history.
• Add to your CV or resume with this great experience

Qualifications
No previous experience is required.

Location of OGVO Volunteer/Intern Programs
We have volunteer and intern work placements in both urban and rural areas in Ghana including Accra, Koforidua, Kumasi, Cape Coast, Kwamoso, Salt Pond,Swedru,Tepa, Boaben-Fiema, Bibiani, Boako, Wassa Akropong, Wale Wale, Mampong, Asafo, Buduburam, and many more.

Start Dates and Durations
We pride ourselves for our flexibility. Volunteers or interns can arrive any day of the year with advanced notice. You can volunteer or intern for periods of 1 week to 6 months. Extension can be arranged with advanced notice as well.

OGVO Program Prices
Our fees are extremely affordable as compare to other organisations. Our program fee starts as small as US $250. Program fees mainly help us cover the variable costs, such as food, accommodation, airport pick-up, placement, program orientation, etc. Program fees vary according to the length of your program. To see program fees and what it covers, please click here

ACCOMMODATION & MEALS ARE INCLUDED

Volunteers on this program will be accommodated with a local host family, and will gain the opportunity to become immersed in the local culture and custom, improving their knowledge of the people, culture and language. Ghanaian families are renowned for their kindness and hospitality and they love to learn about different cultures. Living with a local family truly is the best way to throw oneself into the local culture and to meet people who will often become lifelong friends!

All families have been fully vetted by our team and have extensive experience hosting international volunteers. Bedrooms are private but generally shared with volunteers of the same gender. Volunteers will be provided access to a shared bathroom. Generally, your host brother, sister or mother assist you with your laundry but it is not an obligation, learn to wash your clothing’s with your hands in several buckets, enjoy the sun drying your clothes and odor the African fragrance in your clothes.

Host families will provide volunteers with breakfast, lunch and dinner during the working week.

Breakfast is usually ready by around 7am; however you 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 indicate that while applying. Even though special eating needs are not something we can guarantee, we will do our best to meet your needs.

It is important to remember that the living conditions in Ghana are different from home. Most families have running water, but hot water is still uncommon in some areas. Although the accommodation is basic, this is part of the challenge and experience of volunteering in a developing country. With a little patience, and a flexible attitude, you will quickly get used to your new surroundings.

Working days and hours

You will work 5 days a week, leaving you two free days (Saturday & Sunday) to explore the area. You’ll work around 4 – 9 hours per day.

FREE TIME

During weekends Volunteers/Interns have the opportunity to visit all that Ghana has to offer. 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.

What Our Volunteers and Interns Are Saying