Calls for Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and the Government to “come clean” with the nation on his health condition have mounted, following Rowley’s recent hint that there appear o be some “changes” in his health issues which both his local and foreign doctors feel should be “investigated further.”
Politicians and analysts say his health cannot be his personal business when he’s a public figure and the country’s leader. Three weeks ago, Rowley announced he would do a medical check during a two-week vacation he was taking.
Soon after, Office of the Prime Minister spokesman Stuart Young had said at this stage there was no cause for concern about Rowley’s medical condition, but asked people to “pray” for Rowley.
The PM left last Thursday for the US, accompanied by his wife Sharon. He is due to check into a Los Angeles clinic today following statements he made about having to check up changes in his health over the weekend.
Rowley was quoted as saying for the past 35 years he’d “managed his health issues with diligent, disciplined guidance from chosen doctors locally and in California.” He said he’d been reviewed over the years, but due to the intensity of work, hadn’t kept appointments in last 36 months until recently. Rowley after he did an examination locally and the results were transmitted to his doctors abroad, “there appeared to be some changes which both sets of doctors conclude should be investigated further.”
He said the various processes and procedures will take about a week but added that his health matters were his personal business.
Rowley’s statements set off vast speculation in the ruling People’s National Movement and T&T quarters.
Yesterday, Congress of the People leader Dr Anirudh Mahabir, at a media briefing following his first council meeting, said he’d noted Rowley’s statement that he’d been referred by local doctors to overseas practitioners.
Mahabir said, “It seems if he’s going to be hospitalised for a week overseas then it must be something extremely serious. Therefore, the health of the Prime Minister cannot be seen as his personal business; it’s the country’s business.
“He should therefore come clean and let us all know what is happening and reassure the country about his health and that he’ll be here long term; and also so that T&T can plan ahead.”
Mahabir, a leading local opthalmologist, queried what would happen to the country’s government if the PM’s situation turned out to be serious. He expressed concern that a continuing speculative situation could lead to infighting in the PNM for leadership and “confusion” and noted possible impact which uncertainty would have on planning T&T’s future.
Also commenting on the situation, former public service head Reginald Dumas said, “I appreciate someone may not want to discuss his private matters in public. But it was the Prime Minister who raised the matter and opened the door to speculation when he said at a (PNM) function he was going on vacation, would have a check-up and asked people to pray for him.
“I found that to be a rather strange statement to make. You don’t pray for someone who has a cold. So naturally there’s speculation. Since he’s opened the door to speculation by that statement, he has to say something to T&T.
“He is, after, all the Prime Minister. He cannot say all of this is private. The public also has a right to know and especially since any treatment he may get is at taxpayers’ expense.”
Dumas added, “I’d hope after the diagnosis, perhaps, he says something, either he’s well or if it’s more serious than thought and if so, what’s needed, in the interest of transparency. Since he opened the door to speculation, he now has to give the information.”
Analyst: Duty to divulge
Prime ministers Basdeo Panday, Patrick Manning and Kamla Persad-Bissessar had all disclosed health issues while in office, political analyst Dr Bishnu Ragoonath agreed yesterday.
“I’m sure people wish Dr Rowley the best for his health, but the country should know the state of health of its prime minister, especially when the Prime Minister is in office and one would expect he’d be there for another four years.
“Once in public office, you’re in public life. When you took on the job it wasn’t as a private individual, but as a public individual. One can have as many health issues as one wants over 35 years but as Prime Minister, he’s no longer a private individual.”
Opposition MP Dr Suruj Rambachan added, “We’d like to wish the Prime Minister all the best. Anyone can fall ill. We don’t know the exact nature of his illness, but the fact he has to spend a week in hospital is an indication he’s taken this health matter very seriously.”
“Considering his statements, it is now important in the interest of stability and governance that the country and citizens are apprised of the state of the PM’s health in the shortest possible time, especially since situations like these can create uncertainty. Not only in a country like ours, but whenever leaders are ill, there are issues that affect the citizens. One has to remember he is the country’s leader.”
Hazel sends best wishes
In the face of Rowley’s statements, government members have remained silent, while the ruling PNM has also not issued any statement of best wishes to the PM.
Acting Prime Minister Colm Imbert, contacted on Rowley’s statements, yesterday refused to say anything. He declined to say if he’d spoken to Rowley or addressed the many rumours increasing around Rowley’s health.
“You know I will not comment, no matter what,” Imbert said in an e-mailed response to the T&T Guardian.
Party members mum
PNM deputy leader Marlene McDonald, who worked closely with Rowley in Opposition, also declined comment. Communication Minister Maxie Cuffie said he only knew Rowley went on holiday and was having a check-up and didn’t expect updates.
But the T&T Guardian confirmed that Hazel Manning, wife of late former prime minister Patrick Manning, sent Rowley a text message of best wishes on behalf of herself and sons Brian and David last Saturday.
Close associates of Rowley said yesterday, “It may not be as dire as it seems, but he seems to feel this check is necessary, since he’s 66 and turns 67 in October.”
They noted the three preceding PNM prime ministers and political leaders—the late Dr Eric Williams, George Chambers and Manning—all died at age 69. PNM officials said Rowley was due back by August 15, in time for the start of screening of PNM Local Government nominees on August 17.
In the last seven months, Finance Minister Colm Imbert has had gallbladder removal surgery, Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh contracted dengue, Trade Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon, appendicitis surgery and Local Government Minister Franklin Khan received a heart stent installation.