No date given for Manning’s departure

The date of former prime minister Patrick Manning’s departure to Washington DC for treatment at the Walter Reed General Hospital has not yet been confirmed. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar on Friday revealed that she approved US$91,000 to pay for an air ambulance to transport Manning overseas for treatment. She said a request for assistance was made by Manning’s family and she was advised that he would be leaving some time this weekend. Manning, 65, suffered a stroke at his Vistabella home two weeks ago and has since been receiving treatment at the San Fernando General Hospital.

When contacted, however, Dr Lackram Bodoe, chairman of the South West Regional Health Authority, said: “I cannot say. There has been no confirmation date for him to leave. Asked about media reports that he cannot walk without aid or speak clearly, he said, “The medical team is reporting that he remains stable. He is continuing to show improvements and will require further physiotherapy.” Asked if his condition is improving why then does he have to seek treatment abroad, he said, “I cannot comment on that,” adding, “full recovery in these conditions require intensive rehabilitative therapy.”

When a similar question was poised to public relations/protocol officer Wendy Lewis, she said that that will be addressed in a press conference “some time next week. It has nothing to do with any incompetence on the part of the medical team here.” Asked if Manning was leaving this weekend as stated by the Prime Minister, she said, “Let me reiterate what Brian Manning said, ‘there is only one spokesperson for the Manning family.’” Lewis said there has been a lot of misinformation in the media, with every media house carrying a different story. She said a press release will be sent out either today or Monday.