Plan your trip>>Volunteer & Eco Travel>>Elective>>Physiotherapy Elective
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This project allows you to offer your skills and knowledge to a relatively untouched area in the developing world. Whether you're already practising or in training (2nd year undergraduate), you will be placed within physiotherapy units of professional institutions.
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 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 limited 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 Football Academies in Ghana. 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.
Your 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.
Social Life in Ghana
Our social life is unrivalled and we believe it is important to give volunteers the chance to unwind and have fun while they are away. Our in-country team therefore organises a variety of activities to bring volunteers together, to share their experiences and, above all, have a good time. Some of these activities include visits to the best night spots, group meals, trips away and sports teams where you can to take on local competition.
Akpateshi FC
If you fancy a game of footy while you are away, or simply enjoy the social side of football, you should join our volunteer team, Akpateshi FC. This gives you the chance to play alongside the other volunteers and challenge some serious African opposition. However, although the team has a competitive edge, the emphasis is on the social side of football and is aptly named after the locally brewed bush whiskey! If you play in the team, or simply become a supporter, you will soon see why Akpateshi FC is so renowned for its unpredictable matches and fiery social life.
Other options...
Sports Psychology placements in Ghana, Volunteer Sports Coaching in Ghana, South Africa, Costa Rica or Ecuador, Community Work in Ghana, South Africa or Ecuador.
We have loads more exciting sports opportunities on offer - simply make an enquiry to receive a free brochure.
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