Prime Minister in ‘good health’ on return from Cuba

It was a modest, yet exuberant crowd that turned up at the ET Joshua Airport last Saturday afternoon, to welcome back Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, who was returning home after recuperating in Cuba, where he was treated for a thigh injury.

Gonsalves touched down at approximately 3:30 p.m. in an aircraft provided courtesy{{more}} the Venezuelan government, accompanied by his wife Eloise Gonsalves and members of his security detail.

In good spirits, the Prime Minister assured that he was in good health and ready to take over the reins from deputy prime minister Girlyn Miguel, who acted in his absence.

“I’m in good health,” he asserted. “It will take a while to be completely healed, but as you see, I am walking. I’m pretty much there.

“I’m very happy to be back. It is quite an emotional occasion to see so many persons who have come out here.”

Gonsalves further explained that during his two-week recuperative stay, he received very thorough treatment, and underwent a number of checks to ensure that that he was in general good health.

“They analysed every single possibility which could conceivably be problematic… They address their medicine in a very holistic way.”

The Prime Minister went on to thank the deputy prime minister for doing a “fantastic job”, and also praised other key governmental figures for their input, as well as the Cuban and Venezuelan governments, and all the members of his medical team.

“I’m happy to see the number of initiatives that they have taken on some challenging problems, including the one with housing down at Clare Valley,” he said. “ I’m very impressed by the leadership of Girlyn on that.

“I think it’s important that people see a government which cares, and a government which is very responsive and very responsible… I believe in St Vincent and the Grenadines, and I believe we… are going forward!”

During his time in Cuba, Gonsalves said that it gave him the opportunity to “think and plan” further in regard to the country’s development and that Vincentians will soon be able to see “the fruits of that period of time.

“Some people may not like some of the fruits, because it [they] may diminish their chances to replace the ULP at the next election.”

The Prime Minister said that along with all the well wishes received via social media that he had been informed of, there were also rumours about him being in worse health than was being admitted.

“Some had me with a stroke, some had me with incurable cancer, and some had me coming back in casket,” said Gonsalves.

“Sickness and variations of sickness are a part of the human existence… when persons want me to come back in a casket, they must remember one fact – the world death rate remains steady at 100 per cent, because everybody has to go!”

Gonsalves left the state on Tuesday, September 23, following an injury to the right thigh muscle. He explained that as a child, he had injured his right leg – resulting in it being shorter than his left leg. Over the years, this and several knee injuries have taken their toll on his leg, culminating in him needing to seek treatment in Cuba.

It is expected that the Prime Minister will have to return to Cuba in December to attend two summits – CARICOM/Cuba summit (December 8) and an ALBA summit (December 14). At that time, he will undergo a check-up to assess his progression through the healing process.(JSV)