Physiotherapy in Ghana
Physiotherapy in any developing country is usually under-funded and under-staffed, and this is the case in Ghana. Although there are a number of leading physiotherapists working in the country, Ghana openly welcomes help in this struggling area of sports and community development. This project is ideal for any postgraduate or experienced physiotherapist during a career break or working volunteer holiday.

Your Physiotherapy Placement
The physiotherapy project requires volunteer physiotherapists who are already qualified or who have had some experience in the area (at least to second year degree standard). Physiotherapists work in two key areas of Ghana: community clinics and sports institutions.

 

The community clinic is under-staffed and under-funded. Many of the patients' conditions reflect the problems in Ghana: lots of strokes due to hypertension, car accidents and a high proportion of crush injuries to the hand and tendons from cutting and grinding machinery. A hand injury in Ghana usually means no compensation and no income, and only those that can afford the one pound fee per session have treatment. There is also a lot of facial palsy from otitis media, which is treated with electrical stimulation. The clinic does have equipment, including a hydrotherapy pool, but it has a long way to go before the clinic can cope with the needs of the local community. Volunteers will also be invited to teach Ghanaian physiotherapy students and work with current staff to share ideas and impart valuable knowledge from their 'western' training.

As a sports physiotherapist you will be working in association with the Ghana Football Association (GFA). This institution struggles to survive on a very tight budget and, as a result, the treatment of injuries and care of Ghana's top players is often neglected. Through the GFA, volunteers will have the chance to work as a full-time physiotherapist in one of the leading Premier League football clubs. There is lack of training within the field of sports physiotherapy and volunteers will be able to leave behind valuable new procedures and treatment methods for the teams and individuals they work with.

Having had the opportunity to work in both clinics and sports institutions, you will have broadened your experience and this will put you in good stead to embark upon or continue your career in physiotherapy back home.

Your Physiotherapy Role
The physiotherapy placement will allow you to contribute to an important area of community and sports development. You will provide the hands-on assistance and care that is usually unavailable to many injured locals as well as dedicated athletes. This will be a great experience for a future career as a professional physiotherapist or, alternatively, it will give you a better understanding of the hurdles many physiotherapists and medical professionals have to overcome in developing countries. Volunteers need to be self-motivated and prepared for some long and frustrating days. However, as a qualified physiotherapist, you really can make a positive impact to an often overlooked area of medical care.

Gap Year, Career Breaks and Physiotherapy Electives in Ghana.
This Physiotherapy project really is the ideal opportunity to take your physiotherapy experience to a whole new level whilst doing something unique and worthwile for those in need of physiotherapy. Perfect for students studying Physiotherapy at University looking for a physiotherapy elective, work experience or just a chance to see how physiotherapy is practised in Ghana.