PROJECT OVERVIEW
One of the institutions we work with is the Holy Trinity Medical Centre. This Centre is fairly new, having been established in 1988, and has undergone various reconstructing processes to become a one-step affordable humane service centre by constantly improving its service delivery.

Holy Trinity has a team of 28 regular Doctors, including an Eye specialist, Skin specialist, Physician specialist, Surgical specialist, ENT Specialist, Dietician, Gynaecologist, Psychiatrist etc. This group practice minimizes referral to the teaching hospital from the Clinic and facilitates regular exchange of contemporary medical knowledge, practice and research.

WHAT YOU'LL GAIN FROM DOING THIS PROJECT:

• An exciting, never-to-be-forgotten adventure into Africa and Ghanaian culture.

• You'll learn a lot from experts in your field about how they work in a culture that is very different to what you're used to.

• New skills, more confidence, a greater understanding of a different culture, invaluable personal and professional development.

• An entry on your CV or résumé that will put you head and shoulders above most others in the job market

• And best of all ... an unforgettable experience!

WORK CONTENT
The Holy Trinity Clinic, like many medical facilities, is very busy and consultants see an average of 350 to 500 patients per day, or between 9,800 to 14,000 patients per month. The facilities and equipment include:

• A well-equipped Dental clinic

• An X-ray unit with an experienced Radiographer

• An Optometrist Opticians clinic, which conducts can also conduct eye tests and provide prescription lenses and frames.

• Surgery

• Internal medicine

• A Paediatrics Department

• Accident and Emergency

• A Gynaecology Department

"My first impression was surprise at how nice the hospital seemed, I had been expecting something far more run-down. By the sound of it, this is quite largely because it is a private clinic. The hospital itself is more of a large doctors-surgery, just with a few specialists, a lab and an X-ray machine."

You can work in a variety of medical departments, where you can either assist or shadow the staff members. The type of work you will be allocated will depend to an extent on your own abilities and capabilities, which is understandable given that you will be dealing with patient health and safety.

You will be involved in the day-to-day running of hospitals and clinics, observing or directly assisting the doctors and nurses. You can help out in simple but practical ways, vastly increasing your own knowledge and understanding of medical practice.

You will get a good general feel of the Centre by working and/or observing in most departments and you will be exposed to hands-on nursing work.

"After spending some time with various specialists we have spent the final two weeks of the placements with GPs again. Everyone has been willing to have us observe and have been keen to explain to us. The ENT specialist also invited us to Korle Bu (the Government Teaching Hospital) where we observed consultations and sat with medical students as they practised their clinical skills both in consultation rooms and the wards."

If you plan on specialising in a particular field of medicine, we can arrange to place you in a relevant department, to ensure that you receive maximum experience in your chosen field. Some of the specialist areas are described below.

Nursing:
For example, if your interest is nursing, we have a number of departments who would appreciate your help. This is an excellent opportunity to gain valuable experience in your field in a different culture where practices may differ considerably to what you're used to.

Optometry:
If you're planning on going into Optometry, the Holy Trinity has an opticians department where they conduct eye tests. Here you'll be able to observe and assist. The Optical section serves patients with prescribed frame and lenses.

Dentistry:
Like many developing countries Ghana has a problem with good dental hygiene among people living in poverty. This leads to bad teeth and other medical problems that result from tooth infections. The Holy Trinity has a Dental Clinic where you can work alongside the dentist and nurses and assist the dental team. The Dental Department is equipped with 2 modern Dental Chairs, Dental X-ray Units, etc. It caters for all dental needs of their patients.

This is an excellent opportunity to gain valuable experience in your field in a different culture where practices may differ considerably from what you're used to in your home country.

REQUIREMENTS
According to the hospitals and medical centres, you "must have a passion, enthusiasm and dedication for medicine and caring for people". In other words, they don't wish to play host to 'curious observers' - instead, they want you to gain maximum benefit from your time with them.