Increasing nursing presence in the village will help improve health for residents
Fourth-year nursing students from UBC’s Okanagan campus will be travelling to Ghana, Africa, for seven weeks next spring, where they will help villagers build a permanent health care centre, work in diverse health care situations, and promote global health.
The nursing students will be spending some of their time in Chanshegu, a rural village in northern Ghana that has limited access to child and mother health care.
“Through funds raised, we’ll be purchasing the building materials and medical equipment for a four-room hut, and offering support wherever we are needed during the construction,” says Lisa Vinge, one of three fourth-year nursing students involved with the political action project.
“We also plan to contact the Ghana health ministry with the goal of securing a grant for a permanent health care worker. Our group has been fundraising since September to pay for the health centre. Donations in support of the initiative are still welcomed.”
The village chief, Yossafe Bugli says, “Our lives are very good here, but I am worried about our women during childbirth. They need help so they do not die”.
Health care for the villagers in Chanshegu, which has a population of about 400 people, consists of one yearly visit from the community nurse who provides immunizations. It is expected that the Ghana Ministry of Health will likely provide more health care professional visits if there is a permanent structure at the village.
“I am excited that this project is happening,” says Muriel Kranabetter, associate professor in nursing at UBC’s Okanagan campus. “The village has been asking for this type of help for several years. The students’ efforts will make a significant difference in their lives”.
The students have done several bake sales, sold caramel apples, raffled off two tickets to the Journey Concert in December, and various other fundraisers during their semester.
For more information please contact:
Lisa Vinge
Fourth-year nursing student
The University of British Columbia
Okanagan campus
Email: lisa.vinge@gmail.com
