Fundraising page for two-second year medical students in Milan, going to spend one month volunteering in Ghana in September, working at the Shakura Community hospital in Accra.

We will be working in the following departments:

- Surgical unit

- Maternity unit

- Pediatric unit

We’ve been in contact with the hospital and the association we’re going with, J.V.S.I. and below is a list of top priorities;

- Gloves syringes cotton

- Pediatric Weighing scales

- General Hospital consumables

Once we are in Ghana we will get an idea of what medication and equipment is most needed. We will then distribute it throughout towns.

Since we are both self-funding the trip, all profits will go towards the cause.

Below I have added some of what we found researching the reason behind the lacking Health Care in some parts of the country, in order to better contextualise the current situation for those of you who would like an overview of why our work is needed;

Since Ghana gained independence from the British government in 1957 the effects of colonialism and thus after the implementation of neo-imperial policies, have meant a continued negative impact on the health care system in the country. Initially a free health care system was set up, realized by Ghana’s first prime minister and president Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. However, in the 1980’s Ghana, like many other newly independent African states, experienced severe macroeconomic difficulties, which lead to limited economic growth. As a result of this Ghana no longer had the funds to subsidise its free health care system. On the advice of the IMF and World Bank, the Structural Adjustment Programs (SAP) was implemented in Ghana. The SAP was enforced because at the time Ghana was in desperate need for loans. In light of the socio- economic crisis at the time, the private medical sector has grown drastically. However only being accessible to those who can afford it.

In 2003 there was a search for an alternative financing strategy and Act 650 was formed. This act established the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). The 2003 Act demands that every district should have an operational insurance scheme with membership opened to all district residents. Albeit, the NHIS has not been able to solve the majority of health problem the country faces. For a population of a little above of 24 million people, there are only 1740 health care facilities across the 10 regions, with the scheme covering on average only 18% of the total population. Furthermore, in many instances hospitals/practice’s lack the funds for the essential resources they need to operate efficiently.

In Ghana we will blogging to show exactly where the funds are going mainly through Facebook and Instagram (@paniz3). We are both very excited and would truly appreciate any help towards this project!

Italiano;

Siamo due studentesse al 2 ° anno di medicina a Milano, e a settembre andremo per un mese in Ghana, a fare volontariato. Lavoreremo allo SHUKURA COMMUNITY HOSPITAL ad Accra, la capitale.

Nello specifico, lavoreremo nei seguenti reparti:

- Reparto di consultazione per pazienti esterni

- Reparto di chirurgia generale

- Reparto di maternità

- Reparto di pediatria

Abbiamo creato questa pagina per raccogliere più denaro possibile per poi aiutare le comunità bisognose una volta là. Ci siamo scambiati molti messaggi con l’ospedale e l'associazione con cui partiremo, J.V.S.I., ed ecco una lista di alcuni degli elementi più essenziali per un’ospedale, ma che purtroppo mancano in Ghana:

- guanti, siringhe e cotone

- bilance pediatriche per bambini

- materiali di consumo ospedalieri generali

Compreremo i medicinali e le forniture mediche necessarie una volta là per poi distribuirli nei villaggi in cui ne hanno più bisogno.

Il 100% del denaro raccolto verrà utilizzato per la causa (assicureremo noi tutte le spese relative al nostro viaggio). Apprezzeremo moltissimo qualunque collaborazione per questa buona causa!

Francais;

Nous sommes deux étudiantes en 2ème année de médecine à Milan, et nous allons partir en Septembre pour un mois de volontariat au Ghana. Nous travaillerons à l'HÔPITAL COMMUNAUTAIRE DE SHUKURA à Accra, la capitale.

Plus précisément, nous travaillerons dans les départements suivants:

- Service de consultation externe

- Service de chirurgie

- Service de maternité

- Service de pédiatrie

Nous avons créé cette page afin de récolter de l’argent pour ensuite pouvoir aider les communautés qui en ont le plus besoin. Nous avons beaucoup échangé avec les hôpitaux et l’association avec laquelle nous partirons, J.V.S.I., et voici quelques-uns des articles les plus essentiels pour un hôpital et pourtant manquants au Ghana:

- gants, seringues et coton

- balances pèse-bébé pédiatriques

- consommables hospitaliers généraux

Nous achèterons les médicaments et les fournitures médicales nécessaires une fois là-bas et conduirons vers les régions les moins développées pour les distribuer. Voici par exemple les prix de quelques uns des médicaments qu’on va acheter:

100% de l'argent collecté sera utilisé pour l’achat de ces ressources médicales essentielles. Nous assurerons, bien sur, notre vol et toutes les dépenses concernant notre voyage. Nous sommes très enthousiastes et apprécierions tout don pour que vous aussi vous vous engagiez avec nous, pour une bonne cause!