Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis Dr. Terrance Drew has confirmed that he suffered a stroke late last month but says he is recovering well and expects to return home to resume his duties.
Dr. Terrence Drew, 49, recently revealed that medical specialists determined the stroke was caused by a dissection of the vertebral artery, one of the arteries at the back of the brain. He said the condition was identified after he experienced nausea, vomiting, dizziness, neck pain and difficulty with balance.
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The Prime Minister was initially admitted to the Joseph N. France General Hospital in St. Kitts on August 30 before being transferred to Martinique for further evaluation. He was subsequently flown to Florida on September 2, where he received additional treatment and has since been discharged from hospital.
Drew said he has retained movement in all his limbs and has no significant impairment to his speech, coordination or cognitive functions. He is now undergoing occupational and physical therapy as part of his rehabilitation, which he said is progressing well.
The Prime Minister credited the medical teams in St. Kitts, Martinique and the United States for their care, while also thanking his family and citizens for their prayers and support. He said the swift treatment he received after the stroke was critical to his recovery.
While Drew remains in Florida, Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Geoffrey Hanley has been serving as acting prime minister. Drew said he delegated his responsibilities to members of Cabinet before he left the Federation and that government operations have continued without interruption.
Drew said he is looking forward to returning to St. Kitts and Nevis to lead Cabinet, attend Parliament, and resume his responsibilities as Prime Minister. He also used his experience to urge citizens to take warning signs seriously and seek medical attention when something appears wrong.
