A wise man should consider that health is the greatest of human blessings, and learn how by his own thought to derive benefit from his illnesses. – Hippocrates
AS?WE?HAVE?SAID?BEFORE, we hope for the Prime Minister – and by extension his Cabinet members, as well as all other parliamentarians, including Opposition Leader – nothing less than excellent health.
On the previous occasion when we wished good health for members on both sides of the House, it had arisen from the collapse of the Prime Minister at an official function. Gladly, Mr Freundel Stuart recuperated quite quickly to everyone’s relief and happiness.
At the time, we were not enamoured, however, of the PR-ing of the circumstance. There is no shame in being ill; only in denying it.
As far as we can tell, our elected members of Parliament are in satisfactory health – or are on top of the situation – except in the case of one. We do know whether it is because of our suggestion that there be a regimen for regular and regulated medical checks of our parliamentary representatives, and therefore will take no unconfirmed credit for the healthier living of our MPs.
No continually sick or bed-ridden parliamentarian can do anyone much good.
Presumably lying on his sick bed right now, or very slowly recuperating – since he has failed to report back to work as he recommitted himself in February to do – is the substantive Minister of Drainage Dr Denis Lowe.
It seems Dr Lowe’s recovery will take more months than at first anticipated. Regrettably, to date, neither his constituents nor the nation at large is any wiser about the progress of that recovery.
We maintain that in a mature and advanced society such as ours a proper report on Minister Lowe’s health is critical and appropriate.
Since last January when a family member said the minister was continuing to make “excellent recovery”, and in February when he himself declared he was looking forward to return to work “in a couple of weeks” (March 1, to be precise, by doctor’s permission), we have heard nothing else – far less seen Mr Lowe.
Meantime CARICOM?Ambassador Denis Kellman continues to do Dr Lowe’s job.
This cries out for a health report and a pellucid explanation from Prime Minister Stuart, the boss of the two Denises.
Can it be that it is no longer a matter of health, but living with a condition that is at best tolerable?
