Al-Essra Hospital - Amman, Jordan

I recollect pounding on the emergency exit door behind Al Esraa hospital so it would be opened by security. I was in dire need of help and the emergency door was locked! I will never forget the cold feeling of that glass door on my palms as my eye sight was becoming blurry and I thought I might die.

A neighbor who recognized me ran from the side walk and screamed "Open! It is an emergency. He is an American citizen!" After being picked up from the ground near unconscious, I saw a doctor who, after placing me on I-V, stated my stomach pain and condition was in consequence to muscle spasms. I accepted it. I did not understand how a muscle spasm could make me nearly unconscious from pain nor did I understand why an emergency door for a hospital would be locked, but I accepted it from Al Esraa hospital.

A couple months later, I was in the same hospital again. And again this doctor stated it was muscle spasms. He prescribed expensive medicine, the female employees at the hospital's pharmacy were very rude and stuck up. I still don't know why but I felt they just did not like working at the hospital. I felt due to the hospital being dirty, the second time returning to the hospital with similar symptoms but no resolution, there was a problem with this hospital. The unprofessionalism of the ladies at the hospitals pharmacy struck a determining nerve within me. It made me finally decide to get a second opinion.

The next day, I went to the hospital in Shmeisani instead. Before tests, the doctor evaluated me with a verbal survey. After replying to his questions, he diagnozed me with a severe case of stones. He then did an x-ray and stuck a tube in my mouth to my stomach. He was right! The doctor at Al Esraa did none of the preceding before diagnosing me.

I would just advise all expats, if horror stories of developing nations' health care system interests you, please visit this hospital. If you want one that is halfway reliable, go to the one in Shmeisani please. Stay safe out there!