The Millennium Heights Medical Complex (MHMC) has confirmed that an internal review is underway into patient care at the Owen King EU Hospital (OKEU), following serious concerns raised about the treatment of a patient.
In a statement dated April 1, 2026, MHMC acknowledged “concerns raised regarding the care of a patient,” expressing empathy for the patient and family while indicating that a “comprehensive internal review” has been initiated.
Saint Lucia Daily Post has also reached out to Hospital CEO Dr. Damian Greaves for comment on the matter. Dr. Greaves confirmed that the hospital is currently in contact with Dr. Candice Brabant and that a review process has commenced to identify and address any gaps in patient care.
The concerns were raised by Dr. Brabant, who holds a doctorate in Health Law and Policy and has professional experience in healthcare systems and clinical governance. In a detailed account, she outlined what she described as a series of significant breakdowns in patient care during her mother’s treatment at OKEU.
According to Dr. Brabant, her mother’s ordeal began with what she describes as a failure to act on critical diagnostic findings. She alleges that despite imaging reportedly revealing kidney impairment, severe urinary retention, and an active infection, the patient was discharged and later deteriorated, requiring emergency readmission.
She further claims that during a subsequent hospitalization lasting approximately three weeks, there was no clear or effective treatment plan, and that her mother was eventually discharged without full resolution of her condition.
Among the most serious concerns raised is what she describes as the dismissal of a worsening wound, which she alleges later progressed to gangrene and resulted in amputation. She contends that warning signs were not adequately addressed, allowing the condition to worsen significantly.
Dr. Brabant also alleges that delays in surgical intervention prolonged her mother’s exposure to infection, increasing the risk of complications. She further claims there were breakdowns in pre-surgical protocols, including medication administration that contributed to delays in treatment.
Beyond clinical care, Dr. Brabant raises concerns about what she describes as systemic issues within the hospital, including inadequate record management, communication breakdowns among staff, and inconsistent documentation of symptoms and treatment.
She further alleges that her mother, who is blind and immobile, experienced periods of inadequate post-surgical support, including limited assistance with basic needs such as feeding, as well as issues related to nutrition, medication oversight, and general patient monitoring.
Additional concerns outlined include what she describes as unsanitary conditions, limited resources, and understaffing, which she claims contributed to gaps in patient care. She also raises issues related to communication, alleging that medical information was not always clearly explained to family members, and that patient privacy and professionalism were at times not upheld.
Dr. Brabant further claims that requests for access to medical records were denied, raising questions about transparency and patient access to information.
“This is not simply about one family’s frustration,” Dr. Brabant stated. “This is about patient safety, patient dignity, and whether the people of Saint Lucia can trust the institutions meant to care for them when they are most vulnerable.”
In response, MHMC released a statement emphasizing that patient safety, dignity, and quality of care remain its highest priorities, and that concerns of this nature are taken seriously and addressed through established review processes.
The outcome of the ongoing review is expected to be closely watched as public attention intensifies around standards of care within the island’s primary healthcare facility.
