elective-placement-for-medical-students-in-ghana

Elective Placement for Medical & Healthcare Students in Ghana

Destination

Ghana

Age

18+ y/o

Minimum Stay

2 weeks

Start Date

anytime

Accommodation

homestay

What’s Included

24/7 Support

Round-the-clock support on the ground and 24/7 back up from our global teams.

Accommodation & Amenities

Clean, safe, and welcoming accommodation. A home away from home with comfortable amenities.

Activities, Training & Equipment

All programme activities and equipment, including training and workshops from experienced professionals.

Certification

Certified record of service hours, workshops, and activities for your CV.

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Starting at £1,775 for 2 weeks

Flexible 0% Interest payments

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Trip Overview

Get real clinical experience

Work alongside healthcare professionals in Accra, gaining hands-on experience in various specialities, from tropical medicine to emergency care.

Learn about global health

Gain valuable insights into African health challenges, contributing to patient care and expanding your medical knowledge beyond what you see at home.

Tailor your elective to you

Choose a speciality that aligns with your goals, focusing on areas like public health or emergency care to gain relevant experience for your career.

Explore Ghana and its culture

Live with a local host family and enjoy traditional Ghanaian cuisine while exploring Accra, the iconic Cape Coast, and Kakum National Park.

Grow professionally and personally

Enhance your clinical skills, cultural competence, and adaptability, broadening your perspective and preparing for your medical career.

What you need to know

Overview

Looking for a unique global health experience? Our programme in Accra provides hands-on medical and healthcare experience in a dynamic environment.

Gain practical skills and make a difference.

You’ll work alongside local healthcare professionals, gaining valuable insights into West African health challenges. You’ll also develop essential skills and broaden your cultural understanding.

Tailor Your Experience

Choose a speciality that aligns with your career goals. We offer placements in:

Nursing
Midwifery
Gastroenterology
Tropical Medicine
Public Health
Paediatrics
Community Health
Maternal and Child Health
Infectious Disease Management
Emergency Medicine
And more!

Your elective. Your focus. Your future.

Speak with our team to discuss your interests and create an elective that will provide the most relevant and enriching experience possible.

A Day in the Life

Mornings: Start your day with the local medical team. Join ward rounds with consultants and observe complex cases. In the outpatient department, you’ll take patient histories, perform examinations, and discuss diagnoses.

Afternoons: Spend your afternoons in the medical wards. Shadow local doctors and healthcare professionals and gain insights into resource management in a different healthcare setting.

Evenings: Deepen your understanding with evening training sessions. Our Projects Abroad doctor will lead discussions on healthcare delivery in Ghana.

Gain invaluable experience and make a lasting impact.

Aims & Impact

You will gain

Essential clinical skills: Develop your abilities in a challenging and rewarding environment.
Unique medical and healthcare insights: Gain exposure to tropical health challenges rarely seen in the UK.
Enhanced cultural competence: Learn to work effectively with patients from diverse backgrounds.
Improved adaptability: Develop problem-solving skills and thrive in new situations.
Global health perspective: Understand global health inequalities and contribute to solutions.
Career-boosting experience: Build a standout medical and healthcare portfolio with international experience.

You will give back

Support local communities: Provide vital healthcare support to those who need it most.
Increase access to care: Help enhance healthcare services in under-resourced areas.
Contribute to long-term solutions: Support health education community outreach programmes and initiatives.

How we measure our impact

We measure our success through the number of patients supported, community health screenings conducted, educational workshops delivered, and long-term health education initiatives established.

Medical Supervision

Throughout your placement, you’ll be supported by our dedicated Projects Abroad medical doctor.

This experienced professional:

Provides comprehensive on-site medical oversight
Guides your clinical learning and experience
Ensures your safety and professional development
Acts as a bridge between you and local medical staff
Offers regular debriefing and reflection sessions
Provides additional medical context and learning opportunities

Meet Dr. Henry Annang, Head of Medical Programmes, Projects Abroad Ghana

Dr Henry Annang is here to ensure the success of your medical and healthcare elective in Ghana. He will provide expert guidance, support, and mentorship throughout your journey.

Professional Experience

Doctor of Medicine from Saratov State Medical University, Russia
Master’s in Public Health from GIMPA, Ghana
Expertise in healthcare systems, quality improvement, and community health

Professional Focus

Coordinating medical volunteer programmes
Developing training for international medical volunteers
Enhancing healthcare access in underserved communities

Specialist Areas

Public Health Promotion
Healthcare Systems Management
Community Health Outreach
Medical Training

How Dr. Annang will help you

Dr. Annang is passionate about supporting international medical and healthcare students. He is available to answer your questions, offer advice, and help you make the most of your elective.

Map & Location

Formerly called The Gold Coast, Ghana became an independent nation in 1957, and the first African country colonised by Europeans to achieve independence under majority rule. Still famed for gold and cocoa production, it’s a treasure trove of cultural and natural experiences.

Explore lush rainforests, cascading waterfalls, and golden beaches or get stuck in to the lively music and dance scene. With a rich mix of languages and traditions, its people are known for their warmth and hospitality.

Accra

Accra, the capital of Ghana, is a lively city on the Atlantic coast with a population of over two million. This sprawling metropolis blends modern skyscrapers with historic landmarks, artisan markets, and beautiful beaches. It has a tropical savannah climate with hot temperatures all year.

Accra is culturally rich, with traditional drumming and dance performances alongside an energetic nightlife and thriving arts scene. More than half of the population is under 24, so it’s never short of excitement!

Food & Accommodation

Immediately feel at home with a supportive and welcoming local host family. We’ve vetted each family to guarantee you get everything you need for a wonderful stay. This includes a comfortable bed, three daily meals, fresh drinking water, and daily transport to and from your placement, arranged by our team.

Your host family’s home will be clean, safe, and secure, and they will welcome you as one of their own from the moment you arrive. Absorb the local culture, enjoy their incredible home-cooked food, and build a lifelong connection during the course of your stay.

You’ll stay with other Projects Abroad participants on your travels. If you share a room, we will match you with someone of the same gender and age. Whether you go it alone or with friends, you’ll have the time of your life.

Free Time and Leisure

Volunteering in Ghana is an ideal way to explore this colourful West African country. There’s a huge variety of different activities to do while you’re there, giving you plenty of exciting ways to spend your free time.

Music is a central part of Ghanaian culture. In the bigger towns, especially Accra, you will hear some great live bands and have some memorable nights out. Evenings spent at buzzing restaurants will also give you a taste of some of the delicious local cuisine.

For a look into Ghana’s history, you can tour the slave forts of Cape Coast and visit museums. Nature lovers will relish trekking through the rainforests of Kakum National Park or Mole National Park.

We run a wide range of projects in Ghana so there’s sure to be other volunteers there during your trip. This means you can explore the country solo or connect with other volunteers and travel as a group.

Your Arrival Made Easy

When you arrive at your respective airport, a member of Projects Abroad staff will be there to meet you. You can find more detailed information on arrival airports, orientation, and visas on our Ghana Arrival Procedures page.