Ghana Volunteering-Health-Urban Aid Clinic

Description

Urban Aid is one of the clinics that is funded and staffed by the Salvation Army.
The clinic is in a two level open air building and painted with the colour cream. They have an assessment room, a weighing and health insurance area, family planning room, delivery room, post delivery room emergency room,recovery room,consultation room and a pharmacy. They also have a children's ward for kids up to five years old, for check up. From last stop or Market where one get down from a tro-tro is a kilometer walk to the Big K.V.I.P of which adjacent to it is the Salvation Army clinic.One would have to take the first branch of the road at your right hand side along the main road when out of the main station in which one got down. Mamobi is more unless a muslim community since muslims dominate,it is near to Nima another muslim community therefore,tro-tro's going to this locations call both names as Nima,Mamobi tro-tro.There is a big market place between this two loalities which link them together and this communities are dominated by muslims cuisins even though there are other cuisines.
The clinic is located in Maamobi a neighborhood in the city of Accra. Accra is home to the National Arts Market, which could be your opportunity to practice your bartering skills for paintings, carvings, beadwork, fabric, and many other unique West African arts!
The neighbourhood of Osu is an excellent place to spend an afternoon or a Saturday. Volunteers delight in interacting with the local artists while enjoying ice cream or fresh fruit! There is also an internet cafe nearby that can cater to all your electronic needs.

Why does this organization need volunteers?

Volunteers are always welcome in this busy, high paced clinic. The clinic provides services for many women and the staff need help moving patients efficiently through the different clinical areas.
The Salvation Army is important in Accra because there is a lack of resources in the area for pregnant women. Although hospitals and clinics are available, these are usually not affordable for the general population. The Salvation Army supports women who may not have access to safe and hygienic places to give birth. Ghana has a high rate of child mortality thus the work that this organization accomplishes is very important for both mothers and newborn babies.
Volunteers are also needed to help give educational sessions to patients and the community. Information about pre and post-natal care, breastfeeding and HIV prevention are very applicable topics for the types of patients this clinic takes care of. General talks on malaria, nutrition, hand hygiene, and sexual health are also valuable.
This clinic would benefit greatly from the assistance of volunteers who are interested in the health care field and are willing to help where they can.

What tasks will you be required to fulfil?

Volunteers will arrive at the clinic and check in for the day. They will start their day by helping the nurses take vital signs (blood pressure, temperature, and heart rate) and weights of the pregnant woman. During this time, they will also be able to give educational material to patients and their caregivers.
Volunteers can become involved with HIV testing and the documentation of the results of the tests. Experienced volunteers may be able to help counsel patients with respect to test results.
There may also be administrative duties for volunteers to perform. These will range from health record updates to processing insurance claims. These duties are usually done near the end of the day. The volunteers may also help prepare vitamin packages for the pregnant woman and work in the pharmacy.

Requirements:
Patients do not need to have a medical background for this placement but it would be beneficial. Volunteers with an interest in obstetrics and gynecology will find this placement very rewarding.

Requirements

Language

English

Upon arrival in country our staff will pick you up at the airport and return you to our Orientation Center for a safety briefing and general country orientation. For this program you are required to complete one - 4 weeks of language training and orientation which is included in the cost of the program. At the end of that week you will transfer to your placement to begin volunteering. Our staff are available to assist you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week should you require help of any kind.