Within hours of Asberth News Network (ANN) publishing a news story of the health condition of twenty-three-year-old law officer Kurtland Jack and his family’s plight to raise over $40,000 for surgery to his neck, a response has come from a Trinidadian neurosurgeon who has confirmed that the Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines has decided to pay the cost.
Earlier today, the news story of the law officer’s condition published on our website caught the attention of the public and so caused various commentary on radio and social media. A short while ago, Jack’s sister contacted ANN and informed us that the neurosurgeon had contacted her to inform her that the Cabinet Secretary had contacted him on the matter and the decision taken.
Kurtland Jack’s family members had announced plans to have fundraising events such as barbecues to fund his surgery.
Jack was among three persons shot at Heritage Square in capital Kingstown on November 22nd, this year. He was shot in the neck. The injury has caused paralysis. His spinal cord is permanently damaged and because of a shattered neck bone, his head falls forward.
Medical personnel has said that surgery could be done to the neck so that the head is able to be in an upright position while Jack sits in a wheelchair.
A message from Dr. Peter Kowlessar, the neurosurgeon/neurologist, says that the Office of The Prime Minister has offered to fund the operation with payments in December 2019 and January 2020. He has, however, stated that the Office of the Prime Minister “is not obliged to cover any or all of the costs.”
“That remains the family’s responsibility,” Dr. Kowlessar’s message states.
Dr. Kowlessar has asked the family to provide two blood donors to the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital.