St Kitts PM says he is in good spirits despite undisclosed illness

BASSETERRE, St Kitts, CMC – St Kitts Prime Minister Dr Terrance Drew Thursday said he remains in “good spirits” and is continuing to “get fully active, fully conscious and in stable condition” as members of his medical team in the United States continue to evaluate his illness.

Drew, with tubes and plaster attached to his hands, in a five-minute broadcast to the nation, did not disclose the nature of his illness, but said that he had been treated first in the French island of Martinique and is now in South Florida.

Earlier media reports in Martinique had said that the prime minister had suffered a stroke, but that he is not expected to suffer lasting effects.

“My wife and I travelled here on the advice of medical specialists in St Kitts and Nevis as well as specialists in Martinique so that further investigations could be conducted. At this stage there is nothing alarming to report but the doctors are continuing their investigations and I believe it is important that they are allowed to be thorough,” said Drew, himself a medical practitioner.

He recalled that last Sunday he began experiencing persistent nausea which progressively developed into episodes of vomiting.

“I also noticed a distinct pain on the left side of my neck accompanied by a mild headache and dizziness. As the day progressed, I began feeling unsteady on my feet and had difficulty with my balance and walking. I understood that these were symptoms that should not be ignored.”

He said he immediately contacted three doctors, including a resident neurologist, “who advised me and ultimately directed me to the JNF General Hospital, where our capable medical team immediately evaluated me and conducted a series of scans and other investigations to determine what was taking place.

“My dear citizens, residents and well-wishers, I want to sincerely thank you for your prayers, your messages, your expressions of love and support, and your wishes for my speedy and complete recovery.

“I must also thank you for the many pieces of medical advice I have received. I cannot promise that I will follow every prescription, but I can certainly appreciate the love and good intentions behind them. As a medical doctor, I know when it is time to practise medicine and when it is time to simply be the patient.”

Drew, 49, who has been the head of government in the twin-island federation since August 6, 2022, said that after the last weekend “I just had, I knew the best thing I could do was step back, follow my doctor’s orders and take the rest my body required.

“Though I certainly miss my regular gym regimen, I am content for now taking it easy. In fact, following my doctor’s advice, I went for a gentle walk earlier this morning, and it felt great getting moving once again.

“This experience has been a wake-up call for me, and I hope it can also serve as a reminder to each of you that health matters. We must listen when our bodies speak to us. Please take your health seriously, get your regular check-ups, take the time to rest, and never ignore the warning signs when something does not feel right.”

Drew said that he wanted to express his “deepest gratitude to the excellent doctors, caring nurses and other members of the medical team at the JNF General Hospital for their swift response, care and professionalism as well as to the medical professionals who are presently caring for me”.

He was also thankful to the medical professionals in Martinique, particularly Professor Dabor Resière, the French Embassy, French Ambassador, the US Embassy, and the US Chargé d’Affaires “for their quick intervention” as well as the Consulate of the Commonwealth of Dominica in Martinique.

“I remain in good spirits, getting fully active, fully conscious, and in stable condition as these evaluations continue. I will further update you on my condition upon the completion of my medical evaluations, but I am recovering well.

“Thank you once again for the tremendous outpouring of love, concern and praise. My family and I are deeply grateful. May God continue to bless each and every one of you and may He continue to bless our beloved Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis,” Drew said in the broadcast.

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