enobong.bob@tufts.edu
Growing up in Nigeria, I witnessed the human cost of a poorly integrated healthcare system. It was disheartening to see children denied treatment because their parents could not pay. Families struggled under an out-of-pocket system requiring payment before care began, leading some to abandon treatment with devastating consequences. These inequities, compounded by a lack of accessible insurance, reflect harsh realities across much of Africa. Moving to the U.S. as a teenager sharpened my awareness of these disparities and strengthened my commitment to disease prevention and primary care access.
When I discovered Child & Family Health International (CFHI), I was drawn to its mission to center local voices, foster cultural understanding, and promote sustainable, ethical global health learning. The practicum in Cape Coast, Ghana, was a practical next step aligned with my goals, and my time there challenged many assumptions. While Ghana still faces barriers to universal healthcare, its efficiencies and community-based approaches offered lessons the global health field can learn from.
I completed my practicum at the Ekon Health Center, which serves a rural fishing community. My role involved collaborating with staff, identifying barriers to care, and developing a preliminary grant proposal, while also producing reflective writing to capture lessons learned from the experience.
Most mornings began at 8:00 a.m., shadowing public health nurses in the reproductive care unit and observing physician assistants and community health workers in the outpatient unit. Tuesdays were especially busy with immunizations and vitamin A supplementation for children under five, as long lines of mothers waited patiently with their babies. Once a week, I joined a virtual session with a professional from Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, which broadened my understanding of Ghana’s healthcare history and structure.
During one immunization visit led by public health nurses, a mental health nurse delivered an awareness session in the Fante language. Mothers listened attentively with their children and asked questions. The talk addressed depression symptoms and encouraged women to seek confidential care, confronting stigma that often prevents treatment.
The community spirit struck me—residents preparing sites before our arrival, breastfeeding mothers supporting one another, and even zipping each other’s blouses after immunizations. I also witnessed a young woman carrying supplies uphill for the team, and I was impressed by this generosity and cooperation.
Outside of work, I immersed myself in Ghanaian culture by learning greetings, practicing phrases in Twi and Fante, and collecting vivid fabrics. I enjoyed vibrant church services with gospel and afrobeats, as well as peaceful walks on beautiful beaches.
This experience deepened my understanding of how social determinants shape health, strengthened my professional resolve, and tested my resilience through culture shock, illness, travel disruptions, and my first solo international trip. My upbringing in Nigeria shaped my lens, but this first global health immersion in Ghana has broadened it in ways I will carry forward. A watch I wear is still set to Ghana time as a constant reminder of the rhythms and lessons from that journey.
