Kartel pleased with health care received in SVG

Jamaican entertainer, Adidja Azim “Vybz Kartel” Palmer said he is pleased with the level of health care he has received so far in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG).

Palmer is currently in SVG for medical attention for his Graves’ Disease, an autoimmune disorder that can cause hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid.

Speaking on Wednesday, August 21, 2024 at the La Vue Boutique Hotel and Beach Club in Villa, Palmer said he has already met with medical personnel, and the level of professionalism and treatment he has received so far is second to none.

The iconic dancehall musician said a doctor took his blood tests and the results came back “very” quickly, while the team that is handling his medical care is very knowledgeable and professional.

Earlier this month, a Jamaican doctor said Palmer could die if he does not have surgery to correct problems associated with the disease. She also said that “medical management” is critical now that he has been released from prison where he served 13 years before being freed of murder charge .

Palmer said his doctor in Jamaica must be mentioned as she was instrumental in treating him while he was incarcerated, but stressed that he is satisfied with the team in SVG and has intentions of frequenting the multi-island state with the possibility of purchasing a home here.

Palmer said apart from medical check-ups, he has been using the services of local fitness instructors as he has a show slated for December 31, 2024, where he is expected to perform for three hours.

Also speaking on Wednesday at La Vue, Prime Minister, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves said he was contacted by Palmer’s lawyer, Isat Buchanan via telephone and asked about the possibility of the entertainer coming to SVG to seek treatment for his Graves’ disease. He said he spoke to Palmer after speaking to Buchanan.

Gonsalves said he told Buchanan that there is a Cuban endocrinologist in SVG, and Palmer was welcome to travel to SVG. The prime minister added that there are other professionals in the state with knowledge of Graves’ disease. One is an Indian doctor who teaches at one of the universities, and Dr. Reisha Twana Browne-Caesar.

Gonsalves also noted that the grandmother of one of Palmer’s children is a Vincentian, a Cabral, with connections to the Gonsalves family.

He stressed that the government is not paying for Palmer’s stay, but they are facilitating him as he seeks medical treatment. Additionally, if Palmer has to do any follow-up in somewhere like Cuba, Gonsalves said he will also facilitate that process.

“It’s about mercy,” he said, noting that while persons are talking “all sorts of doltishness” about Palmer being charged for murder, the court has freed him.

Gonsalves, a lawyer, also said there is nothing on the law books that can stop someone coming to SVG or any CARICOM country unless they are a national security or criminal threat, or they are unable to pay for their stay while in the country.

He mentioned two persons who were similarly shown mercy and received his help. One of them in the past had committed a ‘talked about’ crime and required US$150,000 for brain surgery in Trinidad and Tobago; the other being the now deceased convicted murderer, Daniel “Compay” Trimmingham for whom he gave the go-ahead to obtain expensive treatment needed at the time.

Gonsalves said it is in his nature to help people, and he will do so once it is within his capability.

He dismissed talk by persons who are saying that he plans to use Palmer to win a sixth consecutive term in office, noting that he has won in the past without the Jamaican artiste and he can do it again.

“…and if they bother me, I will go for seven,” he said laughing.