In his first public statement since falling ill over the Labor Day weekend, St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew has reassured the nation that his condition is stable and he is on track to a full recovery, speaking from a South Florida medical facility where he is undergoing ongoing evaluations.
Drew first began experiencing troubling symptoms on Sunday, starting with persistent nausea that quickly escalated to repeated vomiting. He soon developed additional warning signs: sharp pain on the left side of his neck, paired with a mild headache, spells of dizziness, and growing difficulty maintaining his balance while walking. Recognizing these as red flag symptoms that required urgent medical attention, Drew checked into St. Kitts and Nevis’ Joseph N. France (JNF) General Hospital, where he spent 18 hours under close medical observation receiving initial care.
After a first round of scans and diagnostic tests at JNF, local medical providers recommended that Drew seek specialized advanced care outside the country. He was first transferred to a medical facility in Martinique before moving on to South Florida, where clinicians are continuing to run diagnostic evaluations to pinpoint the root cause of his sudden illness.
In a pre-recorded video address released to the public Thursday afternoon, Drew emphasized that there is no immediate cause for public alarm, even as medical teams continue their investigations into his condition. A medical doctor himself, Drew reflected on the experience, noting that he understands the line between providing care and needing to receive it.
“As a medical doctor, I know when it is time to practise medicine and when it is time to simply be the patient,” Drew said in the address. “After the weekend I just had, I knew the best thing I could do was step back, follow my doctor’s orders and take the rest my body required.”
Drew told the public he has paused his usual regular gym routine in line with clinicians’ guidance, but shared an encouraging update on his progress: he completed a short, gentle walk earlier Thursday, and said it felt good to start moving again gradually.
The Prime Minister framed his recent health scare as a critical wake-up call, and used his public statement to urge all residents of St. Kitts and Nevis to prioritize their own health and pay attention to their bodies’ warning signs. “We must listen when our bodies speak to us,” he advised. “Please take your health seriously, get your regular checkups, take the time to rest and never ignore the warning signs when something does not feel right.”
Drew extended his gratitude to the dozens of people who have reached out with support since he fell ill, thanking citizens, residents, and well-wishers across the country and beyond for their prayers, messages of encouragement, and good will. He also expressed deep appreciation for the clinical teams that have cared for him since Sunday, starting with the doctors, nurses, and administrative staff at JNF General Hospital, who he praised for their swift response, compassionate care, and professional treatment. He also thanked the medical team currently overseeing his care in the United States, and clinicians in Martinique led by Professor Dabur Rezaie.
Drew additionally thanked diplomatic and consular partners who assisted with his transfer and care abroad, including representatives of the French Embassy and the French Ambassador to the region, the U.S. Embassy and U.S. Chargé d’Affaires, and the Consulate of the Commonwealth of Dominica in Martinique.
As of Thursday afternoon, Drew confirmed that he remains fully conscious and his condition is stable, with ongoing diagnostic work continuing to inform his treatment plan. Official updates on his progress will be released to the public in the coming days as more information becomes available.