Prime Minister Terrance Drew says he is ready to return to work after stroke treatment

BASSETERRE, St Kitts. Prime Minister Dr Terrance Drew says he is ready to resume his duties after weeks of intensive rehabilitation in Florida following a stroke.

Dr Drew fell ill at home in September and was first taken to hospital in nearby Martinique, where doctors diagnosed a stroke, stabilised him and helped arrange his transfer to Florida for treatment.

He says he has recovered sufficiently to return to work in the coming days. Dr Drew, a Cuban-trained medical doctor, is 49.

"Today, I address you not from a hospital bed, not in a rehabilitation centre but as your prime minister, ready to serve, ready to resume my full-time duties," he said. "I am ready to work. I am committed to building and advancing our beloved Federation of St Kitts and Nevis."

He thanked citizens for what he described as an overwhelming level of support during his recovery.

He also paid tribute to his deputy and to the cabinet for keeping government running during his absence.

"To my colleague and brother, Deputy Prime Minister Dr Geoffrey Hanley, you stepped up when I could not. To my entire cabinet, you kept the ship steady. From the depths of my soul, thank you," he said.

Washington dialogue

Dr Drew also announced that he planned to travel to Washington, DC, to take part in a United States-Caribbean dialogue scheduled for October 15.

He said the meeting would give the region an opportunity to engage senior American officials on a range of key issues, including energy security, healthcare and national security.