Prime Minister Terrance Drew flown to US for medical treatment after falling ill

BASSETERRE, St Kitts and Nevis. Prime Minister Terrance Drew was flown to a medical facility in the United States on August 31 after falling ill at home, officials said.

Drew, 49, a medical doctor, complained of nausea and headaches, among other symptoms, on Sunday and spent several hours at the main general hospital in Basseterre.

Doctors there advised that he should be taken to the US for specialist treatment, where the prospects of a more accurate diagnosis were better, according to officials.

Hanley addresses the nation

Deputy Prime Minister Geoffrey Hanley addressed the federation late on Monday, saying the prime minister had been flown to an undisclosed medical facility "without incident and is comfortably settled at the medical facility."

"We are fully focused on keeping our national development agenda moving forward without hesitation or delay. His leadership team remains unified and focused and the business of the government and the nation continues without interruption," Hanley said.

He quoted the prime minister as saying: "Business in St. Kitts and Nevis must be conducted as normal. The machinery of the state will remain robust, stable, and fully functional."

Hanley said Drew "remains in stable condition, fully alert and in good spirits as these evaluations proceed."

Ahead of elections

Drew, who trained in Cuba, handed over the chairmanship of the 15-nation Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in July to Philip Pierre of St Lucia.

He had been starting to focus on preparations for general elections, which are expected before August 2027.

St Kitts and Nevis has a population of just under 50,000.

Officials did not name the facility where the prime minister is being treated.