Basseterre, St. Kitts, April 27, 2016 (SKNIS): The former Douglas-led Administration that was ousted from power in the General Elections of February, 2015, paid over EC$135,000 (US 50,057.60) in medical fees to Baptist Health International in Florida for the treatment of former Minister of Education and Information, Senator Nigel Carty, who suffered an illness in 2011.
Two St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla National Bank cheques, one totaling USD$ 6,001.63 dated October 13, 2011 and the other USD$ 44,055.97 dated November 23, 2011, were sent to the International Accounts Specialist at Baptist Health International on November 24, 2011, for the senator’s two week hospitalization.
Senator Carty took ill during the visit of the Cabinet Ministers to high schools in St. Kitts and Nevis to distribute personal laptops to fourth and fifth formers. He was first hospitalized at the Joseph Nathaniel France (JNF) Hospital in St. Kitts but had to be flown out of the country after his condition allegedly deteriorated.
Former Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas subsequently reported to the country that Senator Carty had undergone emergency surgery. However, the nature of illness and surgery were undisclosed.
According to information gleaned from the website of Baptist Health International, for more than 50 years, Baptist Health has stood for the highest quality healthcare in South Florida, featuring one of the largest hospital-based international programmes in the U.S. It is ranked among the best hospitals in the U.S. according to government health studies and ranking systems like U.S. News and World Report. Thousands of people each year travel to Miami from around the world to visit Baptist Health’s respected physicians and medical facilities. The health institution is recognized by accrediting and rating agencies as a world-class healthcare provider, with top scores for overall surgical care, patient safety, and patient satisfaction.