Prime Minister Terrance Drew confirms he suffered a stroke

BASSETERRE, St Kitts and Nevis. Prime Minister Dr Terrance Drew has confirmed that he suffered a stroke when he fell ill at home earlier this month, but says the rapid local and international emergency response will likely help him make a full recovery.

Drew, a Cuban-trained medical doctor whose party won the 2022 general election, was rushed to a hospital in Martinique, where he was stabilised and diagnosed with a stroke. He was later transferred to a hospital in Florida, where he was treated and discharged.

He is now undergoing occupational and physical therapy as he prepares to return home in the coming weeks.

Video address

Drew addressed the nation in a video posted on social media at the weekend, saying he was satisfied with the pace of his recovery and that his cabinet had held things together in his absence.

"After all of the analysis, I suffered a stroke," he said, sharing footage of himself doing physical exercise during therapy.

"As you can see physically, I can move all my limbs, speak well, my mentation, my coordination, my intelligence have been well. I can say both mentally and psychologically and also physically, I'm doing much better than my ailment will suggest."

Cause of the stroke

He said the stroke was caused by "a dissection of one of the arteries in the back of my brain". He attributed his rapid recovery to being in fair health before he fell ill, saying his blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure levels were all decent beforehand.

"I take my prayer life seriously, my meditation life seriously, and these things have really helped me through this most difficult time," he said.

"I look forward to returning to St Kitts and Nevis to lead the cabinet of ministers, to be in the parliament again, to be in my constituency. But ultimately, the greatest thanks goes to God Almighty, for without Him, I would not be here."