U.S. to provide medical help to Barbados’ prime minister

10/09/2010

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – Prime Minister David Thompson said he will leave the island to return to the United States to get medical treatment for an undisclosed illness a week after he returned from the U.S. after getting medical attention. He said during a nationally broadcast speech from New York on Sept. 8 that he had suffered some setbacks this past weekend. He added his physician would disclose his illness, but did not give an exact time. David Thompson did not give a date when he would return to Barbados, but Deputy Prime Minister Freundel Stuart has run the nation since Thompson said he would take a two-month leave of absence in July. David Thompson said he went to New York in May and underwent testing for stomach pains that had been bothering him for the past few months. “I want to let Barbadians know that during the two months I was away I kept abreast of what was happening, and I am most grateful and heartened by the outpouring of love and support for me and the good wishes and prayers,” David Thompson said. [Jamaica Observer (Jamaica), 09/09/2010; The Associated Press (Barbados), 09/09/2010]