Former Minister of National Security Dr. Bernard J. Nottage was transferred by air ambulance to Florida last Thursday evening to receive medical treatment.

Dr. Nottage, who is “gravely ill,” was taken to Florida after members of his family made the decision to exhaust every medical facility to treat the former Cabinet minister.

Dr. Nottage is said to be suffering from prostate cancer and kidney failure, among other ailments.

While he has been ill for a longtime, the former Bains Town and Grants Town Member of Parliament, who is a gynecologist by profession, also suffered a mild stroke shortly before the general elections.

A family member said Dr. Nottage is still unconscious and the chances for his recovery are grim.

While at Doctors Hospital in Nassau, Dr. Nottage was visited by a large number of his former colleagues, including former Prime Minister Perry Christie.

He was also visited by Prime Minister Hubert Minnis and Governor General Dame Marguerite Pindling.

At last Thursday’s Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) National General Council Meeting, Party Chairman Bradley Roberts said the PLP is sending prayers for Dr. Nottage’s recovery.

Scores of PLP members and supporters are in sadness and deep anxiety over Dr. Nottage’s illness.

Dr. Nottage, 71, recently ran unsuccessfully against the Free National Movement’s newcomer Travis Robinson for the Bains and Grants Town constituency, which he represented for a number of years.

He was a PLP member of parliament from the early 80s.

He held the PLP Kennedy seat prior to leaving to form the Coalition for Democratic Reform (CDR).

Having lost to the PLP in 2002, he returned as minister of health in 2006 under the Christie administration and ran in Bains and Grants Town in 2007 successfully.

He retained that seat until political Robinson unseated him on May 10, 2017.

Additionally, he was also the leader of government business in the House of Assembly during the tenure of the former administration.

Dr. Nottage also ran unsuccessfully against former Prime Minister Perry Christie for the leadership of the PLP in 1997 and 2009.

As the former Bains and Grants Town MP wears many hats, he is also a former track and field star who has represented The Bahamas on the world stage.