BASSETERRE, St Kitts and Nevis – In a national address broadcast Tuesday, Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew announced that medical providers have given him a full clean bill of health, clearing him to resume all official duties just over a month after he suffered a stroke that required emergency overseas treatment.
The 53-year-old leader, who is a trained medical doctor, first fell ill at the end of August, when he began experiencing persistent nausea, vomiting, neck pain, dizziness, and impaired mobility and balance. He was airlifted first from St. Kitts to Martinique on August 31, then transferred to a specialized hospital in Miami for advanced evaluation and treatment on September 2. Drew later confirmed his condition was a stroke triggered by vertebral artery dissection, a tear in one of the major arteries that supplies blood flow to the brain.
Following weeks of intensive inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, Drew said the latest round of medical assessments confirmed his recovery is progressing far better than expected, and he has been authorized to return to full-time work immediately.
In the emotional televised and radio address, Drew opened by expressing deep gratitude to the people of St. Kitts and Nevis for the outpouring of support he received during his treatment and recovery. “From the depths of my soul, thank you. Thank you for every prayer whispered in the quiet of the night. Thank you for every message, every call, every kind word. I felt your love and care. I felt your faith. And I believe, I truly believe, that it helped to carry me through,” he told the nation.
Drew emphasized that he remained fully informed on all government business throughout his leave, and credited Acting Prime Minister Dr. Geoffrey Hanley and his full Cabinet for enabling an uninterrupted transition of responsibilities that kept governance running smoothly. “Plans were in place. The transition was smooth. The work continued. That is a testament to the strength of our institutions, to the character of our people who serve in them, and also to the maturity of my Cabinet colleagues,” he said.
Reflecting on his health scare, Drew framed the experience as a challenging but perspective-shifting moment that reinforced his core priorities. “This experience, as is obvious, has been a trial. But it has also been a testimony: a testimony to the power of God, the power of prayer, and a testimony to the love of my family and of our people,” he said. “One begins to understand what truly matters, and for me, that has always been my faith in God, my family, the love of the people, the health and well-being of every citizen, the future of our country, and the legacy we leave for our generations to come.”
Drew confirmed he will move forward with a planned official trip to Washington, D.C. later this week to take part in a high-level U.S.-Caribbean dialogue scheduled for October 15. He noted the meeting offers a critical opportunity to advance bilateral discussions on priorities key to the federation, including energy security, new economic investment opportunities, national security cooperation, expanded healthcare access, and improved livelihoods for all residents.
“ We have already laid the groundwork for several meaningful partnerships, and I want to ensure continuity in those discussions, strengthen the relationships we have built, and advance commitments that can bring real benefits to our country,” Drew added, closing his address by reaffirming his unwavering commitment to the shared vision for the federation he has led. “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.”