In many African societies, there’s an unspoken truth about mortuary attendants.
They’re often shunned and stigmatized, their work viewed as taboo or unpleasant. This is the reality faced by Mr. Alhassan Azaah, a retired mortuary attendant who dedicated 20 years of his life to serving his community, region, and country.
Despite his tireless efforts and genuine love for his work, Mr. Alhassan faced societal stigma. People perceived him as being exposed to something “unclean” or “unpleasant” simply because he worked with deceased individuals. This perception overshadowed his dedication and the invaluable service he provided to those in need.
One would expect a man with Mr. Alhassan’s gift and strength to be celebrated and appreciated. However, his love and sacrifice for the people he served ultimately led to his stigmatization. His story highlights the challenges faced by mortuary attendants in many African societies, where their work is often misunderstood and underappreciated.
Mr. Alhassan’s career as a mortuary attendant was marked by his compassion, strength, and dedication. He worked tirelessly to ensure that deceased individuals were handled with dignity and respect. His work was not just a job, but a calling that he answered with love and commitment.
Despite the challenges he faced, Mr. Alhassan remained steadfast in his commitment to his work. He understood the importance of his role in supporting families and communities during difficult times. His story serves as a reminder of the need to appreciate and recognize the contributions of mortuary attendants, who often work behind the scenes to ensure that deceased individuals are treated with dignity and respect.
A recent engagement between multiple award-winning journalists, Mr. Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen of Apexnewsgh and retired mortuary attendant Mr. Alhassan Zaah has shed light on the mysterious and often misunderstood world of mortuary work. Through their conversation, Mr. Alhassan shared some of his most profound experiences, revealing the good, the bad, and the ugly aspects of his profession.
One of the most striking aspects of Mr. Alhassan’s story was his claim that he would often receive mysterious knocks on his door, signaling that someone in the hospital was nearing their end. These knocks were not just ordinary knocks; they were a harbinger of death, a sign that a life was about to slip away.
“I’d get these knocks on my door in the middle of the night,” Mr. Alhassan recounted, his voice low and measured. “I’d open the door, and there would be no one there. But within minutes, the hospital would call, summoning me to the OPD or maternity ward.”
Mr. Alhassan’s experiences were both fascinating and terrifying. He would often find himself drawn into a world beyond the living, a world where death was a constant presence. His story is a testament to the unseen forces that shape our lives and the mysterious ways in which we experience the world around us.
This phenomenon has sparked debates about the supernatural and its connection to the spiritual realm. Some believe that knocking sounds can be a sign from the universe, a message from departed loved ones, or even a warning of impending danger.
For Mr. Alhassan, the knock in the dead of night wasn’t a mystery; it was a grim omen, a fleeting visit from a soul moments from its end, delivering a silent summons only he could understand. Despite the initial shock, Mr. Alhassan had grown accustomed to this strange occurrence, and his experiences had become a topic of discussion among those who knew him.
Mr. Alhassan’s tenure as a mortuary attendant at the Upper East Regional Hospital was a testament to his unwavering dedication and hard work. Despite the challenges he faced, he consistently demonstrated a remarkable commitment to his duties.
Without any means of transportation to convey dead bodies, Mr. Alhassan had to rely on his own stretcher to often transport the deceased from the hospital to the mortuary. He would frequently manage up to 20 dead bodies per night, single-handedly, without any assistance. His resourcefulness and determination enabled him to develop creative ways to handle the bodies, including using a gauze to tie the legs of larger individuals.
Mr. Alhassan’s experiences were not without challenges. He often had to use his hands and a supporter to carry the stretchers, and at times, people would even sit on top of the stretcher. Despite the difficulties, he persevered, driven by his commitment to his work. “I worked like a donkey, because i can work on 20 bodies alone without anyone assisting me,” He stressed
As Mr. Alhassan reflected on his experiences, he noted that people’s reactions to him varied. Some appreciated his work and showed him kindness, offering him drinks and other gestures of goodwill.
However, others didn’t take kindly to him, perhaps due to the nature of his work.
Mr. Alhassan’s compassion and dedication to helping others were evident in his work. He had a special place in his heart for families dealing with death or sickness, and he approached these situations with the utmost care and respect.
For him, assisting the deceased was not just a task, but a sacred duty. He believed that when God calls someone home, it’s his responsibility to serve that person well, ensuring they receive the dignity and care they deserve. This conviction drove him to treat dead bodies with the utmost respect, handling them with care and compassion.
Similarly, when it came to the sick, Mr. Alhassan couldn’t bear the thought of turning a blind eye. He felt an overwhelming urge to help those in need, whether it was offering support, providing comfort, or simply being present. His kindness and empathy knew no bounds, and he poured his heart into every interaction.
Mr. revealed that in 2019, despite his dedication and hard work, he faced sabotage from hospital officials who, he said, unexpectedly removed him from his position and replaced him with someone else. Mr. Alhassan was then assigned to a new role – sweeping the hospital floors.
Though this new task was far removed from his previous responsibilities, Mr. Alhassan accepted the challenge and threw himself into the work. He was determined to make the hospital a cleaner place, and he took pride in his work.
However, fate had other plans. According to Mr. Alhassan, a year later, a mysterious issue began to plague the hospital: dead bodies started going missing. The hospital officials, who had previously undermined Mr. Alhassan’s abilities, were now faced with a crisis they couldn’t ignore.
The hospital mortuary was in disarray as dead bodies began to go missing, and Mr. Alhassan’s expertise was once again called upon to help resolve the issue. According to him, the problem stemmed from the negligence of his substitute, who had failed to maintain accurate records of the dead bodies brought in by various families.
As Mr. Alhassan investigated the matter, he embarked on a journey to various locations, including Paga, Pusu-Namongo, and Zuarungu Moshi, to retrieve the missing bodies. His experience and knowledge of the mortuary procedures allowed him to track down the bodies and bring them back to the mortuary.
Narrating the situation, Mr. Alhassan confirmed the process was not without its challenges, as many of the bodies had already undergone final funeral rites and were buried. He had to consult with the Tindaanas, traditional leaders in the community, to identify the burial sites and perform the necessary rituals before exhuming the bodies.
Through his tireless efforts, Mr. Alhassan was able to recover the missing bodies, numbering 22, and return them to the mortuary, bringing closure to the families and restoring order to the hospital’s mortuary services.
Mr. Alhassan’s activeness and love for his work at the mortuary had earned him a certain reputation in the community. Despite his kind heart and willingness to help others, people often viewed him with fear and apprehension. The mere mention of his occupation would sometimes send shivers down people’s spines, and even a simple handshake could become a daunting task. “They fear me even up to date, I can’t shake somebody’s hand,” He laments
Some people would hesitate or even ask if he was friends with the person he was interacting with. The label “mortuary man” seemed to precede him, casting a shadow over his interactions with others.
This fear and unease were not limited to strangers; even some people he had helped or worked with would shy away from him. Mr. Alhassan’s experience was a poignant reminder that societal perceptions can often be influenced by the nature of one’s work, and that even the most well-intentioned individuals can be misunderstood.
Mr. Alhassan’s experiences as a mortuary attendant were marked by a series of shocking and unforgettable events. One particular incident that stood out was when he was tasked with transporting a body from the children’s ward to the mortuary. As he was carrying the boy, he suddenly coughed, and Mr. Alhassan quickly realized that the child was still alive. He promptly returned the boy to the ward, where the senior nurse was grateful for his actions.
The nurse’s reaction was telling; she thanked Mr. Alhassan for not revealing the mistake, and the boy received the treatment he needed. Eventually, the child was discharged from the hospital, and Mr. Alhassan’s swift thinking had undoubtedly saved a life.
However, not all of Mr. Alhassan’s experiences were as straightforward. He recounted the story of a man named Mr. Francis, a Kanjaga man who had been brought to the mortuary by his family.
To Mr. Alhassan’s surprise, the man was not dead; instead, he had been in a state of dormancy. The man would often cover himself with a white bed sheet and move around the mortuary, even going so far as to defecate in the mortuary’s backyard. It wasn’t until four to five years later that Mr. Francis finally passed away.
Mr. Alhassan also shared further bizarre experiences he had encountered while working with dead bodies. He noted that sometimes, the bodies would position themselves in unusual ways, throwing off their covering clothes and leaving them scattered around in the mortuary. He further revealed that on countless occasions, he had also experienced dead bodies turning off the lights in the mortuary, despite there being no one else around to do so.
These experiences had left Mr. Alhassan with a deep sense of wonder and awe, and he often found himself questioning the mysteries of life and death.
Public Reactions
Thousands of people who have watched the video have described Mr. Alhassan’s pronouncements as a “massive revelation” that has shed light on the irregularities and difficulties that occur in the mortuary industry. Many viewers were alarmed by the terrible experiences Mr. Alhassan shared about his encounters with the dead.
Meanwhile, what resonated most with viewers was the way Mr. Alhassan was treated after dedicating 20 years of his life to serving his region. Many questioned why a man who had labored so tirelessly for his people would be subjected to such harsh treatment, including being refused a handshake.
The video has sparked a wave of sympathy and outrage, with many calling for greater appreciation and respect for individuals who work in professions that are often misunderstood or stigmatized. Mr. Alhassan’s story serves as a reminder of the importance of recognizing and valuing the contributions of all individuals, regardless of their profession or role in society.
A Call to Action
The viral video has also sparked a broader conversation about the need to address the stigmatization and marginalization of certain professions. Many viewers have expressed their support for Mr. Alhassan and others like him, who have dedicated their lives to serving others despite facing significant challenges and stigma.
As the conversation continues, it remains to be seen whether Mr. Alhassan’s story will lead to meaningful change and greater recognition for individuals in similar professions. One thing is certain, however: his story has struck a chord with many, and it will not be easily forgotten.
Recommendations
As we reflect on the remarkable story of Mr. Alhassan Azaah, a dedicated mortuary attendant who has spent 20 years serving his community, it becomes clear that we need to do more to recognize and appreciate the contributions of individuals like him. Mr. Azaah’s selflessness and commitment to his work are a testament to the impact that one person can have on their community.
To encourage more individuals to dedicate themselves to serving others, I propose that both government and private institutions establish award schemes to recognize illustrious workers like Mr. Azaah. These awards would serve as a form of encouragement, motivating workers to continue offering their best to the country. The awards should be targeted towards individuals engaged in vulnerable work, such as mortuary attendants, who often face stigma and challenging working conditions.
Mortuary attendants like Mr. Azaah deserve better payment plans that reflect the importance and difficulty of their work. Their job is not an easy one, and they often face unique challenges that require a high level of dedication and compassion. By providing better compensation, we can show our appreciation for their hard work and commitment.
To address the stigma surrounding mortuary work, we need to educate people about the importance of this profession. A targeted communication campaign could help raise awareness and promote a more positive understanding of the role that mortuary attendants play in our society. By working together, we can create a more supportive and inclusive environment for individuals like Mr. Azaah, who have dedicated their lives to serving others.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen
