KATH is an older, general hospital with more than one thousand beds; it is organized into four main inpatient blocks: medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics-gynecology, and surgery. KATH has six anesthesiologists and many staff nurse anesthetists. Current training and continuing education opportunities for anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists include scientific meetings, specialty training abroad, local refresher courses, and in-house education programs such as seminars and journal clubs for residents. KATH has also launched a new Bachelors of Science degree program in anesthesia for practicing certified nurse anesthetists.

Working with KATH faculty, HVO volunteers will increase the number and quality of trained anesthesia residents, nurse anesthetist staff, nurse anesthetist students, medical students and House Officers in Ghana, augmenting teaching and training for students and staff through lectures, bedside training, mentoring and more. HVO volunteers will collaborate and mentor faculty and student research projects. They will also work with local staff to improve operating room efficiency, utilization, patient safety and outcomes, and assist in the acquisition of anesthesia teaching and training materials.

HVO will recruit highly-qualified, active or retired anesthetists. The site welcomes volunteers in all subspecialties of anesthesiology, but trauma and pediatric experience is required. Academic experience is helpful, but not required. Residents paired with a preceptor may be considered for assignment. Assignments are two to four weeks, with four weeks preferred.

Health Volunteers Overseas is a nonprofit organization that seeks to improve global health through education of the local health workforce in resource-scarce countries. HVO volunteers build local capacity by providing health care professionals in resource-scarce countries with the knowledge, skills and professional development they need to address the health care needs of their communities. HVO volunteers are trained health care professionals - physicians, nurses, dentists, physical therapists and others - willing to donate their time and expertise to work side-by-side with their colleagues overseas. Since 1986, HVO staff and volunteers have collaborated with a variety of health institutions to design, develop and implement each HVO project, working toward better patient care around the globe in trauma care, child and maternal health, essential surgery, cancer care, rehabilitation, and more. Visit www.hvousa.org to learn how you can become part of our global health community.

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