On the evening of Monday, August 31, the 49-year-old Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. Terrance Drew, was admitted in critical condition to the intensive care unit of the Martinique University Hospital Center (CHUM). Suffering from severe headaches and nausea, an immediate medical evaluation confirmed that he had suffered a stroke (cerebrovascular accident).
Thanks to the rapid intervention of the intensive care teams led by Professor Dabor Resière, the leader’s condition was stabilized quickly. According to medical staff, the Prime Minister is now out of danger and is expected to make a full recovery with absolutely no long-term after-effects.
Like many citizens of the English-speaking Caribbean, Dr. Drew has a history of receiving medical treatment in American hospitals. Under normal circumstances, he would have been airlifted directly to the United States. However, his regional counterparts strongly persuaded him to travel to Martinique for immediate care.
Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley played a pivotal role in this decision, personally intervening to ensure her colleague was swiftly received and accommodated by the hospital services of Martinique. Following his successful stabilization at the CHUM, Prime Minister Drew left Martinique on Wednesday, September 2, bound for Miami, where he was admitted to the Baptist Hospital Center to undergo a comprehensive medical check-up.
Before leaving the island, Dr. Drew expressed his deepest gratitude and profound satisfaction with the high level of support and care provided by Martinique’s healthcare professionals. He promised to share his highly positive experience with fellow CARICOM leaders, whom he noted often overlook the fact that world-class, highly effective hospitalization is readily available in Martinique.
Back in his home country, the sudden news of the Prime Minister’s medical evacuation initially threw the population of St. Kitts and Nevis into complete uncertainty. The late announcement left citizens in suspense, with no initial information on his destination or the severity of his medical state.
As news spread, expressions of solidarity poured in over social media. Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados posted her thoughts and prayers for her Caribbean brother, his family, and the people of St. Kitts and Nevis.
Within the federation, political colleagues also set aside differences. Mark Brantley, the Leader of the Opposition in the National Parliament and head of the Nevis Local Government, expressed his full solidarity and wished the Prime Minister a swift return to his duties. The Haitian Association of St. Kitts and Nevis and the wider Haitian community were also among the first organizations to issue a formal message of support, offering their prayers during this challenging period.
While the exact date of Dr. Drew’s return to St. Kitts and Nevis remains unknown, the country can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that his life is no longer in danger and his recovery is well underway.
