Francis alert, in good spirits – PM

Government Senator Julian Francis is alert and in good spirits after suffering a stroke on Sunday afternoon.

This is according to Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, who gave a brief update on Francis’s condition at the start of the sitting of Parliament this morning, having indicated that the minister of Urban Development, Airports and Seaport Development and Local Government would not be present.

Gonsalves said the 71-year-old “is currently undergoing medical observation, diagnosis and treatment”.

Opposition leader Dr Godwin Friday also expressed concern for Francis’s condition and wished him well in his treatment, diagnosis and recovery.

“We trust that he has a full recovery,” the opposition leader said.

When news broke of Francis’ stroke, many took to social media to express concern and well wishes, while others opted to leave disparaging comments.

Following the remarks by the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Gonsalves rose again and said he was “pleased to hear the honourable Leader of the Opposition say this. I’m very hopeful that everyone will listen, especially those who support the Opposition because a lot of them are on Facebook wishing that he dead”.

Information circulated by the Agency for Public Information revealed that Francis was flown to Barbados on Sunday evening after doctors at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital stabilised his condition.

A CT scan revealed there was bleeding at the centre of his brain and it was slightly swollen with an elevated blood pressure.

Francis, who is also the general secretary of the Unity Labour Party, is said to have been flown out on the advice of a local neurosurgeon, who determined that there might be a possibility that surgical intervention may become necessary.

Gonsalves, in an interview with the API said Francis is “stable, alert…the pressure hasn’t come down to the extent that they wish”.

The prime minister will assume Francis’s ministerial responsibilities in the interim.