Please note this program is an unpaid global health education program. There is a program fee required to participate. This program fee pays for on-site services such a lodging, language classes (if relevent), 24/7 emergency support, coordination of rotations and/or placements, and on-site staff. CFHI is a nonprofit organization committed to fair-trade partnerships around the world. Please use the following code when applying for a program on the CFHI website “HandshakeCFHI” in order to have the application fee waived.
Ghana, located in West Africa, has a long and rich cultural history and is considered one of the most stable and democratic countries in Africa. With strong political and economical systems, vibrant cities, and friendly people, Ghana is the perfect gateway for a colorful, cultural experience in Africa. Despite strong economic growth and a stable political system, it still has a long road to providing quality healthcare for children throughout the country. Ghana has been working tirelessly to reduce infant mortality rates and improve the overall health of the pediatric population in the country. However, social and economic conditions have continued to impact the health of children, with malaria, anemia, and malnutrition the leading contributors to childhood morbidity in Ghana.
Living conditions, nutrition, physical environment, social and community support, water and sanitation, housing, rather than individual factors such as genetics or other behavioral causes are major contributions to the cause and burden of disease. In the bustling capital city of Accra, see firsthand the various factors that directly affect the health of Ghanaian children.
Join local medical professionals in the historic Children’s Hospital in Accra and see how these professionals provide care in a resource-poor environment, overcoming challenges such as the financial and structural constraints of the healthcare system itself and the social determinants that lead to illness in children.
Participants will have the unique opportunity to engage with medical professionals in the Outpatient Department, Emergency Room, the various wards to learn about the healthcare and also the prevention and management of various diseases.