Less than two weeks after being hospitalized for an unexpected acute illness, National Democratic Party (NDP) parliamentary faction leader Rabin Parmessar has made a full recovery and returned to his post in Suriname’s National Assembly (De Nationale Assemblée, DNA), where he was formally welcomed back by fellow legislators in a plenary session held Tuesday.
DNA Speaker Ashwin Adhin opened the Tuesday session by extending warm greetings to Parmessar on behalf of the entire legislative body, expressing sincere relief and joy at his return to parliamentary work. “We could not be happier to have you back among us once again,” Adhin said in his opening remarks.
In his first public address since his hospitalization, Parmessar thanked the dozens of colleagues, supporters and medical staff who extended support to him during his recovery. He specifically credited the quick response from fellow DNA members who arranged for immediate medical care when he first became ill, a timely intervention that he said made a major difference in his treatment outcome.
Parmessar confirmed Tuesday that official test results completed earlier that day confirmed he had been infected with chikungunya, a mosquito-borne viral infection that causes severe joint pain, fatigue and other acute symptoms. He emphasized that he would not have been able to recover so quickly without the constant support he received from the parliamentary community and medical teams. “It is only because of the thoughtful, prompt care and support from everyone that I am able to stand here again today,” Parmessar said.
The NDP leader also extended special thanks to clinical staff at Suriname’s Academic Hospital, where he received treatment. He noted that his return to work coincided with International Nurses Day, using the opportunity to highlight the critical work of nurses and frontline medical staff across the country, who continue to deliver care under challenging working conditions.
“I feel incredibly blessed to have received such outpouring of attention, high-quality care, and warmth from every single person during my illness,” Parmessar added, closing his remarks.