President leaves hospital

WITH A broad smile, a spring in his step and holding hands with First Lady Dr Jean Richards, President George Maxwell Richards yesterday left the St Clair Medical Centre in good health and in good spirits. The President was admitted to St Clair on Thursday for “the investigation of a minor complaint” which was subsequently diagnosed as an irregular heartbeart due to the effects of hypertension. A statement from President’s House on Friday said doctors had corrected that irregularity, but Richards would remain at the centre a little while longer “to undergo further routine investigations.” The President’s son, Dr Mark Richards, said his father was well, but was being kept at the centre for observation.

Throughout his three-day stay at St Clair, government officials who visited the President said he was in good spirits and was able to deal with some correspondence from his hospital bed. Prime Minister Patrick Manning, who underwent a pacemaker implant on August 20 in Cuba and had a subsequent evaluation in November, visited the President on Friday. Senate President Dr Linda Baboolal was not called upon to act for Richards while he was hospitalised. When Newsday arrived at the St Clair Medical Centre at 11 am, a contingent of soldiers and police officers had assembled outside of the building — indicating that the President would be discharged. 

Four minutes later, the First Lady arrived at the centre and was quickly escorted inside by her personal bodyguard. The presidential car was then moved into position in front of the private medical facility. Soldiers and police officers were seen talking frequently on their walkie-talkies, making additional preparations for the President’s departure. While this was going on, several patients and doctors went in and out of the centre, unaware of what was about to happen. At 11.39 am, a special branch officer left the centre with two bags containing the President’s overnight clothes. Four minutes later, President Richards and his wife walked out of the centre to their waiting vehicle.

Before entering his car, the President smiled and waved at the Newsday team and other well-wishers who had come to see him. Some of the centre’s doctors were on hand to watch the President depart for his St Joseph home. Officials at St Clair declined to give any information on the President’s health or the names of the doctors who treated him and advised Newsday to seek that information from President’s House. Government officials said the President was in good health, and would resume his duties soon. They expressed their thanks to the staff at the St Clair Medical Centre for the excellent level of care provided to the President during his stay.