It pains me to write about this experience inside the clinic of a General Practitioner whom I have always regarded as a dear friend. But I am compelled to write about it because this GP has done it to me twice.
The first time was when I went to see him some few years ago. I was really feeling very sick but I waited patiently for at least 2 hours, hoping that he would write me a prescription for a much-needed antibiotic. He did not, insisting that I didn’t need it because it was a mere viral infection.
I left very much disappointed because he even said that he had the right not to accept me next time I wanted to see him. I then went straight to another doctor who readily issued me the requested prescription. This other doctor even gave me some professional samples of other medicines.
Over the years, we became friends again and I went back to see him in his clinic. This time I had some ampules containing vitamin B-12 which was prescribed by the other doctor. I happened to be in the vicinity of his clinic so I thought it would pose no problem for him to administer an intramuscular injection of vitamin B-12.
The other doctor who wrote the prescription observed that my blood pressure was way below normal. She then concluded that it was the immediate cause of my debility. I was also offered some fruit juice and cookies to help elevate my low blood sugar. She then wrote a prescription for Vitamin B-12.
So I was really shocked when I was refused treatment by the other doctor. All I wanted was for him to administer the vitamin injection. At first, I thought he would, when he took a photocopy of the box containing the ampules. But later, he said he changed his mind. He also quite arrogantly declared that in the Philippines, he treated high-ranking military Generals, as if I was being belittled and demeaned for not belonging to that category.
He added that he was “a different kind of doctor,” saying that he does not accede to what his patient wants, but rather treats his patients depending on his own diagnosis.
I have no intention of seeing this doctor, ever again. In the first place, he said that he reserves the right to refuse seeing or treating a patient, so I also have the prerogative never again to visit his clinic.