Providing Health Services for Rural Ghanaian Populations
By Hanna Cha ‘25Humanity and Community Development Projects (HCDP) Ghana is a nonprofit NGO organization based in the Volta Region of Ghana that aims to improve the health, education, and support services in local rural Ghanaian populations. With HCDP Ghana, I worked at the Akrofu Health Center and the Ho Teaching Hospital as a clinical assistant.
At the Akrofu Health Center, I was stationed at the Outpatient Department as the first point of contact for every patient coming to the clinic. I recorded chief complaints, documented past medical histories, and took basic vitals. I also worked at the clinic’s Antenatal Care Unit, registering newly pregnant women and helping assist in patient’s routine monthly check-ups. At the Ho Teaching Hospital, I worked between the emergency department and the inpatient male ward, either triaging incoming cases or taking routine vitals.
In both institutions, I especially enjoyed working at their child welfare clinics. I measured heights and weighed infants and children to track and confirm a healthy growing rate. This work not only helped foster a passion in maternal and child health but also allowed me to understand the importance of preventative medicine and health education. I was inspired by teams of healthcare providers actively undertaking home visits to educate members of the community about health topics including sanitation, nutrition, and family planning. HCDP Ghana played a pivotal role in deepening my commitment for a career in medicine, while also sparking a profound interest in public and community health.
Internship funded by the Preston Public Interest Career Fund.