BASSETERRE, St Kitts – In a nationwide address delivered on Thursday, September 3, 2026, St Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew reassured the public that he remains in stable condition and good spirits, even as a still-undisclosed illness leads medical specialists to conduct ongoing evaluations in the United States.
The 49-year-old prime minister, who has led the twin-island federation since August 2022, shared that his health complications first emerged last Sunday, when he developed persistent nausea that quickly escalated into repeated vomiting. He added that he also experienced sharp pain on the left side of his neck, paired with mild headaches, dizziness, and growing difficulty maintaining balance while walking. Recognizing these as red flag symptoms that required urgent care, Drew – a trained medical practitioner himself – immediately contacted local medical experts, including a resident neurologist, who directed him to the island’s JNF General Hospital for immediate assessment.
At JNF General Hospital, clinicians carried out a full round of scans and diagnostic tests to identify the cause of his symptoms. Following initial evaluation on St Kitts, Drew was transferred first to Martinique for further care, and is currently receiving ongoing assessment at a medical facility in South Florida. Unconfirmed local media reports from Martinique have suggested Drew suffered a stroke, though the reports add that no permanent long-term health effects are expected.
In the five-minute televised address, which showed Drew with medical tubes and bandages on his hands, the prime minister emphasized that there is no cause for immediate alarm. “My wife and I travelled here on the advice of medical specialists in St Kitts and Nevis as well as specialists in Martinique so that further investigations could be conducted. At this stage there is nothing alarming to report, but the doctors are continuing their investigations and I believe it is important that they are allowed to be thorough,” he said.
Drew used his address to extend gratitude to the flood of public support he has received from citizens, residents and well-wishers across the country. “I want to sincerely thank you for your prayers, your messages, your expressions of love and support, and your wishes for my speedy and complete recovery. I must also thank you for the many pieces of medical advice I have received. I cannot promise that I will follow every prescription, but I can certainly appreciate the love and good intentions behind them. As a medical doctor, I know when it is time to practise medicine and when it is time to simply be the patient,” he added.
The prime minister noted that he has followed medical guidance to step back from official duties temporarily to rest, a decision he says was the right choice for his recovery. Though he misses his regular gym routine, Drew shared that he completed a short, gentle walk earlier the same day of the address, marking a small step toward regaining his usual activity. He also framed his current health scare as a public reminder for all people to prioritize their well-being.
“This experience has been a wake-up call for me, and I hope it can also serve as a reminder to each of you that health matters. We must listen when our bodies speak to us. Please take your health seriously, get your regular check-ups, take the time to rest, and never ignore the warning signs when something does not feel right,” he said.
Drew also extended his deepest thanks to the clinical teams that have supported him throughout his care, starting with the swift, professional care he received from doctors and nurses at JNF General Hospital. He specifically thanked medical staff in Martinique, including Professor Dabor Resière, as well as the French Embassy, French Ambassador, the U.S. Embassy, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires, and the Consulate of the Commonwealth of Dominica in Martinique for their quick coordination and intervention to support his care.
Reaffirming his condition in the closing of the address, Drew said: “I remain in good spirits, getting fully active, fully conscious, and in stable condition as these evaluations continue. I will further update you on my condition upon the completion of my medical evaluations, but I am recovering well.” He closed by thanking the public again for the widespread outpouring of love and concern, adding “My family and I are deeply grateful. May God continue to bless each and every one of you and may He continue to bless our beloved Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis.”