MAXIE ON THE MEND

MINISTER in the Public Administration and Communications Ministry Maxie Cuffie is on the mend and “anxious” to come home. After being out of the public eye for the last eight months, since suffering a stroke, the first photos of the La Horquetta/Talparo MP up and about were circulated online yesterday. The pictures show Cuffie and his wife Hermia outside St Augustine Catholic Church and School in Washington DC.

He was hospitalised at the St Clair Medical Centre last September. Later that month, he was flown by air ambulance to a hospital in Washington DC to continue his treatment. In one photo, Cuffie is seen walking down the steps of the church, wearing a helmet and holding an object in his left hand. Other photos show Cuffie standing in front of the church’s notice board, Cuffie and his wife outside the church with a priest and Cuffie and Hermia standing together outside of the church.

Since Cuffie’s illness, several questions have been raised about his health and if he would be able to return to active duties both as MP and a member of the government. Government sources told Newsday the photos were taken about two weeks ago. This was confirmed by Cuffie himself in a statement. “The pictures were taken at church services on Easter Sunday and the following Sunday,” he said.

The pictures were subsequently sent to Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, the Cabinet, the La Horquetta/Talparo constituency executive, relatives and a few close friends. On wearing a helmet in public, Cuffie admitted this caused confusion among some people. “A few persons mistakenly assumed that the surgery was in fact done,” he said.

At a post Cabinet news conference in March, Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Stuart Young said Cuffie needed additional surgery. Providing further clarification, Cuffie said, “In fact, I have been wearing the helmet since my arrival as mandated by the hospital to protect my head.” Cuffie said his doctors have advised that his surgery is “imminent.” The helmet, he continued, “will no longer be required after the surgery.” Cuffie gave no specific time frame in which he expects to return home.

“Following recuperation and a couple weeks of therapy, the neurosurgeon will advise on my ability to travel by commercial airline,” he said. The minister said he and his wife are nevertheless, eager to return home. Once the necessary medical clearance is obtained, Cuffie said, “We will then immediately and most happily make travel arrangements to return to our country and the people we love.”

He reiterated that the neurosurgeon who will be performing the surgery had advised,”that everything is dependent on how the surgery goes and how well and fast I heal after.” Cuffie promised to advise Rowley, Cabinet colleagues, relatives and friends, “as soon as we know.”

During Cuffie’s illness, Rowley initially oversaw the Public Administration and Communications Ministry’s operations. In January, Rowley said he would hand over that portfolio to another minister. Port of Spain South MP Marlene McDonald replaced Cuffie as Public Administration and Communications Minister when Rowley reshuffled the Cabinet on April 9. Prior to this, McDonald was appointed a minister in that ministry.In February, Rowley said $980,263.39 was paid to St Clair Medical Centre for Cuffie’s treatment.

He also said Government paid $46,000 for the air ambulance to take Cuffie to the United States and a further US$171,000 for his recovery programme. In February, Cuffie refuted claims from former United National Congress (UNC) activist Phillip Edward Alexander about his health.

“I am bolstered by my faith in God and the unfailing love of my family and feel born again,” Cuffie said at that time.