AN ANGRY LETTER TO THE HEALTH WORKER My Dear Health worker, I’m a man of many hobbies but coming to the hospital to watch the sick, the helpless gasping for their dear lives is certainly not one of them. If I had my way, the hospital will be the last place on earth I’ll set foot in, but unfortunately, that will forever remain a wish. When I presented my pain-ravaged body to your outfit on Tuesday, I did so believing that I’ll be safe and strong in your capable hands. I was weak, I was confused, I was in so much pain and couldn’t wait to turn myself to you for the proper remedy, but nothing prepared me for your very different version of Ghanaian hospitality and healthy courtesy. I was shocked! From your front desk to your consulting room, I was treated like a moron and a pain-in-the-neck. You may have been tired, over-worked and underpaid, but that did not justify the way you treated me and other patients. When my aunt came home accusing your colleagues of stealing her food, money and other belongings because they thought she will die during a difficult delivery, I defended you. When my cousin came home lambasting health workers for giving preferential treatment to the rich over the poor, I defended you. When my uncle came home utterly disgusted with how some of your colleagues discuss patients’ diagnoses right in front of everyone, I defended you. And when my mother came home from the hospital, ready to report some of your colleagues to your professional body on the inhumane treatment given to the elderly, illiterate and disabled, STILL, I defended you but on that Tuesday morning, you had me eating my words. What shocked me and made me angry and sad, was how insensitive you and your colleagues were and the blatant disregard for the lives of people you swore to serve, protect and to treat with dignity. What is wrong with some of you? Is it the case of bad attitude, or what? Or is it that the health service has developed a penchant for employing health workers with a chip on their shoulders and an axe to grind with the rest of humanity? My experience at your workplace left me dumbfounded and I hope I never have to walk through your doors again. A very angry ex-patient.