Why does this organization need volunteers?

This facility is in desperate need of more staff who could assist in care giving. The waiting rooms are very full with only a few nurses, and a doctor who visits once or twice weekly. There are currently two medical assistants who diagnose health problems and prescribe medications. Workflow is a major issue and volunteers are needed to help improve efficiency. Medical Students, Nursing Students, Pre-med Students, Nurses, Doctors or anybody interested in assisting with administration would be very beneficial to this clinic.

What tasks will you be required to fulfil?

Nurse volunteers will be able to experience all aspects of how a rural clinic operates. Specific tasks,(depending on the medical qualifications of the volunteer), may include weighing patients, taking vital signs, giving injections, working in the lab, assisting in the pharmacy, caring for patients on the wards (giving water, compresses, assisting doctors), and updating the medical records.

Nurse volunteers will as well have the chance to travel with the clinic staff on outreach services to the surrounding rural villages. This will be a great chance for volunteers to explore the area and to experience rural life. Duties on these visits may include organizing patient flow, weighing babies, and providing first aid training.

The clinic also does outreach services to local schools and community groups. Nurses that will be volunteering in Nsuta clinic will be able to create and give presentations on hygiene, nutrition, sexual health, HIV, malaria, and any other topic that the volunteer and clinic staff feel is relevant and will benefit the locals.

This is a great opportunity to share ideas with the local staff (nurses and Doctors). What a great way to expand your knowledge not only in the medical field but in so many other aspects in life and at the same time help in a worthwhile endeavour. Other duties may include administrative work (computer training, health record documentation, patient reception and registration), awareness projects, and other self-led initiatives. In the past, volunteers have been successful working on breast feeding awareness campaigns, prenatal care and malaria prevention efforts.

Other tasks that you may be requested to preform outside of your core duties:

Volunteers may also be able to take on self-led projects such as HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns, breastfeeding talks or malaria prevention strategies presentations.

How many days per week will you be working?

Volunteers are expected to work Monday to Friday each week.

How many hours per day?

Hours may be flexible but volunteers will usually be required at the busy times of day (mornings and early afternoons). Times for outreach services to the villages will be arranged with the nurses each week.

What age-range will you be working with?

Patient load is heavy and patients are all ages. Thursday is market day and many people will come from the rural villages to seek care. Volunteers are especially important in helping to manage patient flow on these days.

The clinic has a large focus on maternity and volunteers will be required to work with pregnant women and new mothers. The nurses also lead out-patient programs that assist in pre and post-natal care. Volunteers will be assisting with these programs, as well as the in-patient areas.

What kind of background may be useful at this placement?

This placement is seeking volunteers that are hard working and able to function in a busy environment. Volunteers must also be friendly, enthusiastic and self-motivated.

Will you be required to operate any special equipment?

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What personality traits would be useful for a volunteer at this placement?

As a volunteer, you may be placed in environments that are unfamiliar and different from what you have experienced before. Volunteers should be able to adapt to new situations and should be motivated to learn and help out where appropriate.

Who may have a difficult time at this placement?

People may have trouble adjusting if they find it difficult to adapt to new situations. Volunteers must be able to adapt to working in a very warm climate, in areas where living conditions may be basic.

What specific skills are they looking for at this placement?

What is the purpose of this organization?

This is a government funded clinic that works to service a large area in the Ashanti Region including Nsuta and 31 surrounding villages. They have maternity, two male wards and two female wards, a laboratory, and a dispensary. Apart from these, they also have a large area where patients sit to wait on when they come to the clinic until they are call to come for treatment. It mainly serves as a day clinic, but 24 hour emergency care is also provided to the community. The maternity and preventive medicine ward serves to register and weigh babies, give family planning services, and provide community outreach and education.

The laboratory uses diagnostic tests for conditions such as malaria, worms, urinary tract infections, diabetes, and other infections. The majority of the patients present with malaria and gastrointestinal illnesses.

What community(s) does this organization assist?

Ashanti is one of the ten regions of Ghana which is located in the Southern part of Ghana and its one of the most popular regions of Ghana because of the Golden Stool which was commanded to come from the sky by Okomfo Anokye. Nsuta is the capital of Sekyere Central which is one of the subdivisions of Ashanti Region

Nsutamam Polyclinic provides much needed medical attention to Nsuta and all the surrounding villages that are located in the District of Sekyere Central. Many of the Sekyere Central District inhabitants in these villages cannot travel into the larger metropolitan areas to seek medical attention so the local clinic is important in not only treating illness and injuries, but providing services to prevent these incidents from happening.

Many of these small villages do not have access to medical care. Each week, nurses from the Nsuta clinic will travel to these surrounding villages to assist with prenatal care, weighing children, administering vaccines, and first aid.

Does this organization have any religious affiliations?

This organization does not have any religious affiliations.

When was this organization founded?

Nsutamam Polyclinic was founded in the year 1969.

How are they funded?

This clinic receives funding from the Government.

How many people at the organization speak English?

All staff speak English at this clinic, except for the orderlies and the night watchmen.

If you find sponsors interested in sending donations, here is what they need:

First Aid supplies or children's toys and clothing. and any other thing that could be used at a hospital.

Location description

Nsuta is located in the Ashanti Region, near Kumasi. The people in this area are known for their arts, crafts, and hospitality! The road to Nsuta is beautiful, as you travel through the mountains on a nicely paved road (one of the best in Ghana). The town itself has a great vibe, and there are lots of opportunities to hike in the surrounding mountains. There are less than 5,000 people in the town but it swells enormously on Thursdays for Market Day. Nsuta services hundreds of small villages located in the Ashanti Region and these people come to town every Thursday to trade goods and purchase items to take back to their villages.

The town has all the essentials, including a medical clinic, restaurants, food stands, churches, and schools. The people here are very friendly and welcome volunteers with open arms. You will definitely have ample opportunity to practice your newly polished Twi skills!

Historical significance of the area

Ghana has been inhabited since at least 4,000 BC. Europeans began to arrive in the late 15th century due to the gold and ivory trade. However in the 16th century the slave trade rapidly replaced gold as the chief export and continued until it was abolished in the early 19th century. Ghana gained its independence in March of 1957, the first African country to do so.

The Republic of Ghana lies on the Gulf of Guinea on the western coast of Africa. It is not a large country by African standards; among the 47 countries of mainland Africa it ranks 30th in size with a population of approximately 19 million. The capital of Ghana is Accra with about 3 million people. The majority of the population is concentrated in the southern and central parts of the country largely for climatic reasons.

English is the official national language, however a total of over 75 African languages and dialects are spoken in Ghana. Twi is the main Akan tongue and is the first language to at least half the population of Ghana.

Freedom of worship is a constitutional right in Ghana with Christian and Islamic being the most prevalent although it is to be noted that various traditional beliefs and customs have also been retained. It appears that many Ghanaians manage to adhere to two contradictory systems of belief.

What is the weather like?

The dry season in Ghana is from September through March and temperatures generally range from 30-45 degrees Celsius. The rainy season occurring April until August is a bit cooler at temperatures of 20-35 degrees Celsius. As the name of the season suggests, rainfall increases dramatically throughout these months. It is generally not constant rain, but when it does rain, it usually pours.

What fun things are there to do in the area on days off?

The Kejetia Market in Kumasi could take a whole day to explore; it is the largest open market in West Africa. It spans more than 12 hectares and more than 10,000 traders operate there each day. The massive accumulation of people, the hundreds of stalls, the smells and the sounds combine to make this an unforgettable experience. Spend an afternoon in the market. It is worthwhile and you will definitely improve your bargaining skills!

Kente Weaving is an ancient Ghanaian Craft which is popularly associated with the Asante Region but is also practiced in the areas of Ho and Hohoe. Modern Kente Weaving is characterized by intricately woven colourful designs. Bonwire is a small village that is known for its Kente Cloth Weaving. Volunteers are able to visit this site and learn how this type of cloth is made.

Okomfo Anokye Sword is a historic site that attracts tourists from around the world. According to ancient legend, the sword has been stuck in the same position in the ground for over 300 years. The sword marks the spot where the Golden Stool initially descended from the sky and solidified the Ashanti Region. It is believed that if the sword is removed the entire Ashanti Kingdom would collapse.

Cape Coast is always a favorite weekend destination for volunteers. Beautiful beaches, large markets, historic castles and active trading posts are just a few of the fascinating places to check out.

Kakum National Park is definitely worth visiting; especially if you are an animal lover. Kakum National Park covers an area of 607 square kilometers and is home to over 40 species of animals. Not only is Kakum National Park filled with hundreds of critters, but it is also the only place in West Africa to have a canopy walk. The canopy walk is about a 350m-long walkway and is suspended high up in the trees.

If you love hiking than the Domana Rock Shrines is the place to go. The Shrines consist of a three-storey high natural cavern formed by one large rock which balances the others. Take a guided tour to the Shrines and then a canoe ride in a hand carved boat.

Mole National Park is a must see. As one of the only walking safaris in Africa, it is a very unique experience. Spend your morning hiking into the game reserve in search of elephants, antelope, baboons, and crocodiles. Your guide knows the best spots and perhaps will teach you how to track elephant movement patterns. After the safari, relax at the hotel pool and watch the animals come to drink from the watering hole located right under your deck!

You can also go to the famous Ashanti Region to emerge yourself in the culture and colours of the Ashanti People. Try your hand at Kente Cloth Weaving and make groundnut cake with the locals while visiting Nsuta. This region also offers rainforest hikes and waterfalls!

The Cultural Centre, and Kumasi Fort are also attractions worth exploring in the nearby city of Kumasi. Day trips to Lake Bosumtwi, the Cultural Center, The Fiema Monkey Sanctuary, Kintampo Falls, and the Manhyia Palace are just some of the options available in and around Kumasi. If you're lucky you may even catch the Adei Festival held every 6th Sunday.

How do you get to your placement after your orientation?

Volunteers will leave the BaseCamp House in Accra and use a taxi or tro-tro to travel to OA bus station. It is then a 5-7 hour ride by bus to Kumasi. Once in Kumasi, our regional coordinator will meet you to transfer you to the tro-tro station. From there, you will take a 1-2 hour tro-tro ride to Nsuta.