St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew has publicly shared his first detailed health update, confirming he suffered a stroke caused by a vertebral artery dissection, and revealing he has been discharged from a Florida hospital to continue his rehabilitation, with government operations running smoothly in his absence.
In a video address shared September 14 with citizens of the twin-island federation, regional well-wishers, and international supporters, Drew explained that the stroke affected a vertebral artery — one of the critical arteries located at the back of the brain. While the medical event is classified as serious, the prime minister emphasized that damage to his physical and cognitive functions has been far milder than initial projections.
“As you can see, physically I can move all my limbs, speak well. My mentation, my coordination, my intelligence have been well,” Drew stated in his address.
Now out of the hospital, Drew is continuing intensive occupational and rehabilitative care in Florida, and reported that his recovery is progressing “extremely well.” He noted that his physical, mental, and psychological outcomes are far better than the severity of his stroke would typically predict, crediting three key factors for his positive progress: high-quality emergency and ongoing medical care, his strong baseline health prior to the event, and his personal faith.
Drew shared that he had long kept his blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure under strict control, calling his pre-stroke health “extremely robust and strong” — a foundation that he says enabled his faster-than-expected recovery.
The prime minister extended public gratitude to multiple medical teams that have supported his care, starting with staff at St. Kitts’ Joseph N. France General Hospital. He highlighted that the care he received during the critical “golden hour” immediately after the stroke stabilized his condition enough to allow him to travel overseas for advanced treatment. He also thanked medical professionals in Martinique, led by Dr. Dabo, and the care team at Baptist Health in Florida for their ongoing work. Additionally, he recognized diplomatic representatives including the French Ambassador, EU Ambassador, Dominica’s honorary consul in Martinique, and the U.S. Embassy in Barbados for their logistical and diplomatic assistance throughout his medical transfer and treatment.
To address public concerns about governance during his recovery, Drew moved to reassure residents that the government of St. Kitts and Nevis remains fully operational, with pre-planned contingency arrangements activated immediately after his illness. He noted that his administration put multiple emergency protocols in place from its launch, covering scenarios ranging from minor administrative disruptions to worst-case crises, to guarantee uninterrupted public service.
“This administration is a mature and serious administration. We have multiple contingency plans in place, from the worst-case scenario to a minor disruption,” Drew said.
During his initial hospital stay, Drew met with the full Cabinet to outline a clear governance plan and delegated all of his regular responsibilities to relevant cabinet ministers. Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Geoffrey Hanley has stepped into the role of Acting Prime Minister, and Drew says he has maintained regular oversight of government work, describing the handover of day-to-day duties as “extremely smooth.”
“All of my responsibilities are delegated to the pertinent ministers. And I want to say thus far I’ve been monitoring, they are doing a very good job,” he added. Drew thanked Hanley and the full cabinet for upholding the government’s work and continuing to deliver public services throughout his absence, noting that the stable transition confirms his administration’s preparedness for unexpected events.
Drew concluded his address by sharing that he is eager to return to St. Kitts and Nevis, resume his duties leading the cabinet, return to parliamentary work, and reconnect with constituents of his Constituency Number Eight. He reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to advancing the policy agenda of his administration and delivering progress for all people across the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis.