It’s with an heavy heart that we write about Vybz Kartel’s health condition has reportedly worsened due to his battle with Graves disease and heart disease, as disclosed by his own first son Likkle Vybz and the recent medical reports.
In an exclusive interview with THE WEEKEND STAR, Likkle Vybz, Vybz Kartel’s and Shorty son, real name Adidja Jaheim Palmer, delivered an emotional summary regarding his father’s medical report, telling the news outlet that his father’s state is dramatically and quickly deteriorating.
“It is bad. His condition is not getting any better and that’s because of the condition he’s been held in and also the lack of urgency to get medical healthcare.
He’s on medication but [despite that] the condition is still worsening, so that’s another big problem.
And because of that, it was recommended by the doctor to go to surgery so that’s a very big deal, very big deal,” he said.
To confirm that the incarcerated dancehall superstar is not in good shape is also an official medical report obtained by the news outlet, that dated back to May 2, 2024, in which Vybz Kartel’s doctor stated that the artist has “lost 20 per cent of his heart’s function” from the capacity it was at this time last year, and that puts him at greater risk for a heart attack.
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The medical report continued adding that “His echocardiogram showed a moderate decrease in global wall function with an ejection fraction (EF) of 37 per cent. An EF from 41 to 49 per cent might be considered too low. It does indicate that Mr Palmer is developing heart failure which may lead to a heart attack. The EF measurement under 40 per cent might be evidence of a patient getting closer to the possible risk of a heart failure or cardiomyopathy,”.
It was also highlighted that since his last medical examination in June 2023, Vybz Kartel had also “developed increased abdominal girth”.
Likkle Vybz shared that he really hoped the Jamaican court system would have exercised some leniency or dealt with his dad’s case with more urgency.
“Despite his conditions getting worse, they are still moving slow, the fact that he needs to get medical attention as soon as possible. But [his case] is just always delayed,” he said.
Likkle Vybz voiced displeasure that despite his father’s conviction being quashed “and despite the fact that his sickness continues to get worse, it’s like they don’t really care”.
“Suh wid all dat, it’s very frustrating and stressing but I really just have to stay strong to be honest because I have my younger brothers and other family members, and also a family of my own suh mi jus affi stay strong,” he said.
With the celebration of Father’s Day quickly approaching, the young recording artist said he yearns for family moments with his dad and “right now, I’m just waiting on my father to be free,” he stated as his voice trembled.
Adidja ‘Vybz Kartel’ Palmer and his three other co-accused were charged for the 2011 murder of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams. After spending over a decade in prison, the UK Privy Council quashed the conviction and sent the case back to the Jamaica Court of Appeal for it to decide on a possible retrial, on the grounds of a “juror misconduct”.
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With a great shock to everybody and despite his deteriorating health condition Vybz Kartel and two of his co-accused were denied bail and remanded in custody as they await the court proceedings next week (June 10 to June 14).
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The Jamaican dancehall hitmaker, who has been held in a cell described by his lawyer, Isat Buchanan, as a “brick oven,” is now recommended by his doctor to be granted permission to access “urgent surgical treatment”.
“I further recommend that the cardiology evaluation be performed as soon as possible to prevent further deterioration in his cardiac function and the increased risk of mortality,” the doctor stated.
“In the event that surgery is performed for definitive management of his condition, it would be my recommendation that Mr Palmer receive post-operative care in hospital. At this point, the Department of Correctional Services does not have the resources or facilities to care for Mr Palmer in the post-operative period”.
