By Staff Writer
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, Oct 13, CMC – Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew Tuesday said he had been given a “clean bill of health” by his doctors and has since been discharged from the United States hospital where he had been rushed to after suffering a stroke last month.
Dr. Drew, a medical practitioner, had been flown to Miami for medical evaluation and treatment on September 2, after being airlifted from St. Kitts to the French island of Martinique on August 31.
Last month, Dr. Drew said that he had suffered a stroke that was caused by a dissection of the vertebral artery, a tear in one of the arteries at the back of the brain. He had initially experienced persistent nausea, vomiting, neck pain, dizziness, and difficulty walking or balancing.
“From the depths of my soul, thank you. Thank you for every prayer whispered in the quiet of the night. Thank you for every message, every call, every kind word. I felt your love and care. I felt your faith. And I believe, I truly believe, that it helped to carry me through,” Dr. Drew said in a radio and television broadcast.
“Let me confirm that I have completed my rehabilitation, both inpatient and outpatient, and I am doing well. I also want to confirm that I visited the doctors again today, and I was given an excellent bill of health, and I was told that I am fit to return to full duty,” Prime Minister Drew said.
“This experience, as is obvious, has been a trial. But it has also been a testimony. A testimony to the power of God, the power of prayer, and a testimony to the love of my family and of our people.
“Today, I address you not from a hospital bed, not in a rehabilitation centre, but as your Prime Minister, ready to serve, ready to resume my full-time duties,” he said, noting that while recuperating he had been brought up to date on all the projects being undertaken by the government under the capable leadership of acting Prime Minister Dr. Geoffrey Hanley.
“Plans were in place. The transition was smooth. The work continued. That is a testament to the strength of our institutions, to the character of our people who serve in them, and also to the maturity of my Cabinet colleagues.
“My commitment to you and to the vision we share for our beloved Federation remains firm, with God at the centre,” Drew said, acknowledging that when one “faces his or her own mortality, one begins to see things somewhat differently, as is obvious.
“One begins to understand what truly matters and for me, what truly matters has always been the things that I consider to be truly important. My faith in God, my family, the love of the people, the health and well-being of every citizen, the future of our country, and the legacy we leave for our generations to come. “
Drew said that later this week, he will be travelling to Washington DC to participate in an important U.S.-Caribbean dialogue on October 15.
“This meeting presents a valuable opportunity to engage directly with senior United States officials on matters that are important to our Federation, including energy security, economic investment, national security, healthcare, and opportunities for all of our people.
“I consider my personal participation especially important. We have already laid the groundwork for several meaningful partnerships, and I want to ensure continuity in those discussions, strengthen the relationships we have built, and advance commitments that can bring real benefits to our country”
Prime Minister Drew said that it is his responsibility as the head of government, along with the Federal Cabinet, “to ensure that St. Kitts and Nevis has a strong voice wherever important decisions affecting our future are being discussed, and I intend to continue doing just that.”
He said that based on his health update, ”I will be home in short order to continue serving you in St. Kitts and Nevis.
“I love this country, and I know you do as well. I love our people, and I am grateful, so grateful, for the opportunity that you have given me to serve you. This experience has not weakened me at all. To the contrary, it has strengthened my resolve. I am ready to work.
“I am committed to building and advancing our beloved Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis. I therefore ask for your continued prayer, as I also will pray for you, and I extend my blessing to every home, every family, and every community,” he said in the broadcast.
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