from 700€

Excellent 4.8rating (859)

Ghana Medical Volunteers

location
2 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 17 - 50+

rating  Excellent 4.8  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Excellent response rate

Volunteer project with the highest quality. This project sets unprecedented standards in quality - an unparalleled level of excellence.

Highlights

  • 80% of PMGY volunteers are 17-22 years old
  • A top destination for first-time looking for a secure & social experience
  • Great opportunities to specialise in areas within a government hospital
  • Structured weekend trips to Cape Coast & Mole National Park
  • Embrace Ghanaian culture with drumming & dancing evening activities

Especially suitable

Age 17+
Singles
Groups

About the program

A fantastic opportunity to gain first-hand experience and insight into the Ghanaian health care system. Learn from local staff and get involved in supporting them.

Access to healthcare in Ghana has improved dramatically since the introduction of the National Health Insurance Act in 2003. However, the healthcare system in Ghana still faces a number of challenges, particularly in rural areas. The large majority of patients arrive due to illnesses related to poor ...

About the program

Access to healthcare in Ghana has improved dramatically since the introduction of the National Health Insurance Act in 2003. However, the healthcare system in Ghana still faces a number of challenges, particularly in rural areas. The large majority of patients arrive due to illnesses related to poor sanitation. Malaria is also a huge issue and remains the cause of many deaths and illnesses. In addition, HIV/AIDS continues to harm the lives of so many Ghanaians. Many of the major causes of death and serious illness are avoidable. The work of the healthcare system in Ghana is not only to treat immediate cases but also educate the local communities in preventative measures.

We can organise placements from people of all backgrounds. So whether you’re a school leaver looking for work experience to boost your university application or a nursing / medical student organising an overseas elective placement, – we have just the project for you!

The main hospital that we support and work with in Ghana is Manhyia government hospital which is based in central Kumasi. The departments we can arrange placements in are:

  • Adolescent Counselling, 
  • Community Health Education, 
  • Dentistry, Ear, 
  • Nose and Throat (ENT), 
  • General surgery, 
  • Laboratory, 
  • Nursing, 
  • Maternity & Midwifery, 
  • Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 
  • Ophthalmology, 
  • Paediatrics, 
  • Pharmacology, 
  • Physical Therapy, 
  • Physiotherapy, 
  • Prenatal, 
  • Psychology, 
  • Radiology, 
  • Ultrasound

We welcome school leavers and 1st year healthcare related undergraduate students, looking to gain invaluable experience

Your role is largely observational. The hospitals are poorly resourced and under-staffed by UK standards, so you will have a very eye-opening experience. You will be placed in a number of different departments, so that you can receive a broad insight into the Ghanaian healthcare system.

The maximum recommended duration for a medical experience is 6 weeks. You are able to combine your healthcare programme with our other community based volunteering projects such as helping at the orphanage or teaching project, should you wish to get involved in multiple projects.

You will find the staff at the healthcare facilities appreciative of your support and positive towards information sharing. Over the course of your placement you will witness a range of cases that you may never come across in the UK, such as Typhoid, Polio and TB. There will also be the chance to learn about tropical diseases such as Malaria, Leishmaniasis and Dengue.

Whilst the hospital adopts modern forms of treatment, you will experience how cases are treated within an under-resourced and poorly staffed healthcare system and the challenges the staff face. Furthermore, cultural factors and a lack of education/health awareness will give you an insight into the alarmingly high number of preventable cases admitted each day. Many students also find fascinating to witness the dynamics of the doctor-patient relationship compared to that of the western world.

Travel tips

You should arrive into Kotoka International Airport in Accra (airport code ACC) on the selected Sunday start date. Programmes start on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month. You will be met at the airport by one of our local staff or an appointed driver who will be holding a named sign. They will take you to your accommodation where you will spend the rest of your day at leisure. The programme ends on the Sunday of your final week and you should depart the accommodation on this day.

Can I use this program as part of a university or college placement? 

It is certainly possible to use one of PMGY’s programmes as part of your university or college placement. Project staff can sign off any paperwork required by your course tutors. PMGY regularly receives medical, childcare, psychology and nursing placement students at our projects around the world and we have ties with some of the leading universities.

If you’re a course tutor and would like further information about how one of PMGY’s programmes could meet the placement requirements for your degree course then please contact us directly.

Is it safe to travel to PMGY destinations?

Although our volunteers work in the developing world, we always ensure our host locations are safe. Each programme has been extensively researched and has passed our strict vetting process. Our UK team undergo an extensive routine when establishing our in-country infrastructures and we continue to monitor our safety procedures on a regular basis. Furthermore, we monitor the stability of our volunteer destinations on a daily basis. Through our constant contact with consulates and embassies and our reports from our overseas teams, we are able to ensure that our volunteers are never placed in unstable regions.

The PMGY team have visited and participated in every programme we offer and verified them based on our own independent criteria. We carefully inspect every little detail of our set-up. From inspecting the living conditions, checking out the neighbourhoods you’ll be staying in, to tasting the food you’ll be eating – each and every programme we establish has gone through a lengthy and rigorous vetting process. Risk assessments have been written for all areas in which PMGY operate and our experienced local coordinators are always on-hand to manage any emergencies that may occur. Our UK team are always on the road reviewing our risk management procedures in the field and monitoring local conditions. 

In emergency situations we have the necessary protocols and equipment in place and we are able to evacuate our volunteers from potential dangers. Our local coordinators are trained to deal with emergency circumstances. 

When you join PMGY we will send you a Volunteer Handbook. This document addresses a range of issues such as health, safety, visa issues etc. Furthermore, our UK team are only ever a phone call away should you wish to discuss any aspect of your upcoming programme. When you arrive in-country, you’ll be given a comprehensive safety briefing during your orientation course by our local coordinators. We will go through everything from emergency procedures, how to use local transport and cultural differences. You’ll also be given the opportunity to purchase a local SIM card, something we strongly suggest, so you’re contactable at all times. We will provide you with a full list of the important contact numbers that you’ll need to know.

All our local teams are experienced development professionals who have years of experience in hosting international volunteers. They are our representatives on the ground and will assist you 24/7 throughout your stay. Whether you need to call home, travel at the weekend or require urgent assistance – they are there to support you.

While we cannot guarantee your volunteer experience to be 100% trouble free we have taken all the necessary precautions to make sure each programme is as safe as possible.



Typical day

Your level of hands-on involvement is dependent on your experience, duration of programme and willingness to get involved. The doctors will assess your capabilities and assign responsibilities accordingly. Those with little or no medical experience will assume a largely observational role. If you ...

Typical day

Your level of hands-on involvement is dependent on your experience, duration of programme and willingness to get involved. The doctors will assess your capabilities and assign responsibilities accordingly. Those with little or no medical experience will 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, please note we can never guarantee hands-on experience, as the decision ultimately lies with the medical staff.

As for all our volunteer programmes in Ghana, it is possible to combine multiple projects during your time with us. If this is something you’d like to do, then please apply for the main programme you’d like to take part in but also outline in your online application the details of the other projects you’d like to do. Our local team will finalise the details of your placements during your in-country orientation.


Free-time activities

PMGY volunteers are based in a friendly neighbourhood of Ghana’s second city, Kumasi. The volunteer house is a 45-minute drive into Kumasi city centre, which is still dripping with Ashanti traditions and has some interesting sights.

Kumasi is still the heart of Ashanti country and the site of West ...

Free-time activities

PMGY volunteers are based in a friendly neighbourhood of Ghana’s second city, Kumasi. The volunteer house is a 45-minute drive into Kumasi city centre, which is still dripping with Ashanti traditions and has some interesting sights.

Kumasi is still the heart of Ashanti country and the site of West Africa’s largest cultural centre, the palace of the Ashanti king. The city is surrounded by rolling green hills and has a vast and vibrant central market.

Close to the market is the city’s National Cultural Centre which encompasses a museum of Ashanti history and you can even try your hand at traditional dance and drumming classes!


Requirements

Requirements

Minimum Age: 17 years

In order to join the program you need to be at least 17 years old on the program start date.

Language Skills

You need to speak English (intermediate level)

Education Requirements

healthcare related undergraduate students at University level

Criminal Background Check

required

Nationality Restrictions

No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

Other Skills

You should also be physically fit, as volunteering overseas can be quite strenuous. If you have any medical/mental health conditions that may affect your participation overseas then these must be declared to us during your online application.

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

What's Included

What's Included

Services by Plan My Gap Year

  • Accommodation 
  • Meals (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
  • Airport Pick Up
  • In-Country Orientation
  • 24 Hour Support

Airport Pickup at Kumasi Airport

You should arrive into Kotoka International Airport (airport code ACC) on the Sunday. The airport pickup is available 24 hours. 

On arrival, a member of our local team will be at the waiting area for you holding a PMGY Ghana sign. They will drive you straight to our partner hotel where you can relax and settle in. The hotel is around 15 minutes away from the airport.

Accommodation

Your first night in Ghana will be spent at a hotel near to Kotoka International Airport in Accra. Our partner hotel offers basic but comfortable accommodation. You will share a room with fellow volunteers. Rooms are fanned and have mosquito nets. A member of the PMGY Ghana team will also stay at the hotel to ensure you have 24/7 support. Our staff will travel with you to Kumasi the following day.

Volunteers will stay at the PMGY Volunteer House in Kumasi. The property is located in a friendly neighbourhood, which is around a 45-minute drive to Kumasi city centre. The house is gated and secure and our local coordinators live on-site. You will share a room with fellow volunteers – bunk-bed accommodation and a fan is provided. Volunteers have their own separate bathroom, which has a western toilet and cold-water shower – it’s hot all year round in Ghana so cold water showers are a perfect cool down after a hot day!. The house also has Wi-Fi although it is intermittent.

The house has a lounge, TV and DVD player where you can hangout in the evenings. There is also an outside seating area. Volunteers are welcome to use the kitchen to prepare meals or even help out when meals are being prepared. We also have a refrigerator where you can store your personal food items but please remember this is dependent on electricity and power cuts can be a frequent occurrence in Ghana!.

The house is basic but comfortable. Clothes can be hand-washed or you request a local maid to wash them for you, the typical cost is around £2 per load of washing. Living in the PMGY Volunteer House offers a great social experience. Volunteers are given their own privacy and locks to their rooms, so it is a very laid-back atmosphere.

The local area has a number of small shops. The nearest ATM, internet café, larger shops and bars are about a 10 to 15 minute walk from the house. The local community are extremely friendly. As soon as you step out of the house you’ll be greeted by smiling children! Just one of the amazing experiences you’ll have with PMGY in Ghana.

Please note that in the summer months we do use extra accommodation to cope with the extra number of volunteers when the main volunteer house reaches capacity. Such accommodation is again basic but comfortable with a western bathroom and located a short distance away from the main volunteer house. You will be sure to mix with volunteers as a whole at projects as well!

Please note that power cuts and water shortages are very common in Ghana. Whilst we have backup measures to combat this, there maybe times where the power cuts out or there is no water for a while so its important to be aware of this in advance.

Food & Beverages

Volunteers will be provided with breakfast, lunch and dinner everyday during their time with PMGY. Breakfast and dinner are served at the Volunteer House, whereas for lunch we may provide you with a packed lunch or the project may provide you with lunch.

Most meals are local foods such as rice, eggs, stews, vegetables, Ghanaian dishes, meats, breads, and more. A usual breakfast consists of toast and tea/coffee. Lunch is usually a rice based Ghanaian dish. Dinner will consist of a more wholesome meal, usually noodles, typically made of starchy foods such as rice, yams or ugali – sometimes served with meats such as fish, chicken or goat. Here is an idea of some of the most common meals in Ghana:

Fufu – Cassava, yams and plantains are boiled, pounded and rolled into balls known as fufu. These are often served in a soup or stew, or with palm oil/groundnut sauce.
Red Red – Black-eyed peas that are stewed with spices, tomatoes, peppers, onions, and red palm oil. The red palm oil saturates the dish giving it a red hue, hence the name.
Jollof Rice – Tomato flavoured rice, spiced (with a little yoghurt in the middle) and served with meat or fish.

There are a number of western restaurants near to the accommodation should you fancy picking up some home comforts. Pizza, burgers, chicken and chips etc are available for around £5, however this depends on the quality of place you go to. There are also some Chinese and Indian restaurants in Kumasi. Our local team will tell you all about the options available to you during your in-country orientation.

Please note most meals will incorporate lots of carbs and not so much dairy or meat compared to the UK so please be open minded around this! It may take you a few days for your body to accustom to the local food as well.

* Please inform us in your application if you have any dietary requirements. Furthermore, meals on the Sunday arrival date are NOT included, so please budget between £5 to £10 for this.

Internet Access

Good access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Kumasi Airport (KMS) in Kumasi. We assist you to find cheap flights to Ghana. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

Travel Insurance

Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Ghana provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

If you are intending to volunteer in Ghana you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Ghana. VACCINE CHECKER

Details on arrival

This program starts on the 1st & 3rd Sunday of every month

Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Program fees

2 weeks (min. stay) 700€
3 weeks 829€
4 weeks 959€
6 weeks 1,218€
8 weeks 1,477€
12 weeks (max. stay) 1,996€
Average fees 257€/week

Program fees

257€ per week 2 - 12 weeks Age 17 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES


Duration

2 - 12 weeks

Deposit

The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.


Final Payment

Your final payment will be agreed with Plan My Gap Year during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


Meet your organization

Plan My Gap Year

Excellent 4.8 rating (859 reviews)

Agency - founded in 2011

Verified by Volunteer World

  Excellent response rate

Coordinated by

Josh

Spoken languages: English

About the project

Plan My Gap Year is an award-winning international volunteer placement organisation based in the UK.

Meet your organization

Plan My Gap Year is an award-winning international volunteer placement organisation based in the UK. We provide safe, affordable, need-driven volunteer programmes from 1 to 24 weeks in 11 countries worldwide.

A LITTLE BIT ABOUT US…

Founded by volunteers for volunteers, Plan My Gap Year works with local communities in the developing world towards long-term sustainable goals. We know there is no better way to travel and make a positive impact on the world.

We work extremely hard to ensure that our opportunities are affordable for everyone who wants to make a difference. So fees are 100% transparent, something our volunteers really appreciate.

Plan My Gap Year structured programmes create the perfect platform for you to see the world, meet like-minded people and engage in meaningful volunteer work. We have teams in the UK and in our host destinations who will support you 24/7 throughout your time with us. Furthermore, every project on our network is regularly risk-assessed by our UK team to ensure our set up is safe and that our volunteers are making a positive impact.

There is also a great social element to our programmes. Plan My Gap Year puts you in touch with all your fellow volunteers via Facebook before you set off. Our projects receive volunteers from around the world throughout the year, so even if you’re travelling solo, you’re going to meet heaps of people along the way. Plus you’ll have plenty of opportunity to travel the country with your newfound travel buddies – it’s all part of the PMGY experience!

So if you’re thinking of doing something a bit different on your next trip abroad, then why not drop us a line and find out what extraordinary things you could be doing.

AFFORDABLE & TRANSPARENT FEES

Our aim is to make our programmes accessible to motivated travellers irrespective of their financial capacity. Plan My Gap Year focuses on providing the core requirements of a volunteer programme: safety, structure and sustainability.

We are 100% transparent with our fees. That way you know exactly how much of your money goes towards the local community.

Compared to the large majority of volunteer organisations out there, even most charities and not-for-profits, PMGY’s opportunities are significantly cheaper. Furthermore, as our reviews will testify, our support service and structured programmes are second to none.

SAFETY & RISK MANAGEMENT

Your safety is our top priority. All of Plan My Gap Years' programmes have been personally inspected and vetted by the PMGY team – which is not an industry standard by any means. We carry out independent risk assessments on an annual basis and our local teams constantly review the safety precautions we implement. This includes regular staff and safety appraisals.

 Our local teams are made up of highly experienced volunteer coordinators. They have hosted international volunteers for many years and are prepared to react in the unlikely event of an emergency. Whatever the problem, big or small, our local teams are available around the clock.

As part of our commitment to your safety, we keep in constant communication with local embassies and the Foreign & Commonwealth Office to ensure we can identify potentially dangerous situations and act upon them immediately. Our UK team are available 24/7 to assist volunteers and their families.

TRAINING & SUPPORT

We support our volunteers every step of the way. Before you go we will provide you with a detailed Volunteer Handbook, which will guide you through how to prepare for your trip. This Handbook contains literally everything you need to know – from what to pack, to how to obtain a visa, to local language guides.

Our experienced UK team are always available to provide assistance. Plan My Gap Year is always available to answer our questions and support you in anyway we can. 

On arrival, a member of our in-country team will collect you from the airport and help you settle in. Your orientation course will teach you everything you need to know about the country, how to stay safe and what to expect from your upcoming volunteer experience. 

Our local team are on-call 24/7. Whether you’ve lost your passport or just want some help in planning a weekend trip, our friendly in-country coordinators provide that safety net to ensure you are well looked after.

RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL

Plan My Gap Years' responsibility is not limited to our travellers but also the projects we support. That is why all our volunteers must provide a Criminal Background Check before they travel.

It is essential that our projects are need-driven and sustainable. We work closely with our local partners to ensure that our volunteers are contributing to bring about long-term development.

PERSONAL TOUCH

We really know our programmes. Our UK team have stayed in the accommodation, volunteered at the projects and met the volunteers. We carefully assess each application we receive so that your personality and skills are suited to the project. Whatever your query, you can feel assured that you will be speaking to someone who can tell you exactly what to expect.

HAVING FUN

One of the best aspects of volunteering is meeting some amazing like-minded people. We place over 2,000 volunteers every year so wherever and whenever you go, you have the peace of mind in knowing you will be living and working alongside other PMGY volunteers. In many of our destinations, we run our own Volunteer House accommodation, which ensures all volunteers live together, and therefore guaranteeing a strong social element. In addition, our local team are always there to help you plan any independent travel or give you some tips for what to do at the weekend.

859 reviews · rating4.8

Michael Roux rating5

2023 at Ghana Medical Volunteers

The past 2 and a half weeks, living in Ghana has been an experience that cannot be put into words. The people, the culture, the hospitality was just great. I’m very glad that I decided to take part in this because this type of experience isn’t offered anywhere else. Truly a perspective changing ...
Brenna Aspery rating5

2023 at Ghana Medical Volunteers

The PMGY Ghana team was so welcoming initially when I arrived and for the rest of the trip! I felt right at home and super comfortable in a unfamiliar place I have never been before. They had so many activities for us to do and helped us legitimately whenever we needed something which was very ...
Kelly Robertson rating5

2023 at Ghana Medical Volunteers

This was my second time staying at the volunteer house with PMGY Ghana and doing the hospital volunteer program. The hospitality of the PMGY Ghana team is always something I’ve appreciated. Seth, Kelvin, Patience and all of the cleaning/kitchen staff are so welcoming and sweet. It feels like a ...
Grace Fletcher rating5

2023 at Ghana Medical Volunteers

I loved the people so much at PMGY Ghana. Seth, kelvin, and all the taxi drivers were so much fun and catered to all of our needs. I loved the activities they had planned for us like the cultural dance and the funeral we went ...
Alvin Yeung rating5

2023 at Ghana Medical Volunteers

I went to Ghana for 2 weeks with PMGY and I had a great time. The projects gave experience to volunteers that most would normally be unable to find in their home countries. The staff I worked with at the hospital in Ghana were very friendly and helpful, and encouraged us to ask questions. The local ...
Lindsay Cotner rating5

2023 at Ghana Medical Volunteers

Seth, Kelvin, and everyone with PMGY Ghana are truly amazing. It was a wonderful experience and everyone in my group learned so much both in and out of the ...

Location

Africa > Western Africa > Ghana > Kumasi

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