‘Back pain not stopping me’

UPDATE:

DESPITE his lingering back pain, the Prime Minister yesterday said he will be attending this week’s Caricom Heads of Government Meeting in Montego Bay, Jamaica. A statement issued yesterday by the Office of the Prime Minister said Dr Rowley leaves today for Jamaica and returns home on Saturday.

Rowley told Newsday, “I was treated by a doctor on Friday but remained in painful discomfort over the weekend.

“I was referred to a specialist who saw me and treated me this morning.” Stressing that he will be going to Jamaica as planned, Rowley said he is scheduled to do an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) on his lower back next Monday. “I am relying on the prescribed painkillers to afford me sufficient relief in the interim.” Rowley first disclosed his back pain at the launch of the University of the West Indies’ reforestation project at Hillview College last Friday. The pain was attributed to his sitting for long hours in uncomfortable office chairs and slipping on a stairway at the Diplomatic Centre in St Ann’s last Thursday.

Foreign and Caricom Affairs Minister Dennis Moses will accompany him to the meeting.

Finance Minister Colm Imbert will act as prime minister in Rowley’s absence.

ORIGINAL STORY:

PRIME Minister Dr Keith Rowley is scheduled to leave tomorrow to attend the 33rd Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (Caricom).

The conference will be held in Montego Bay, Jamaica from from July 4 to 6. Foreign and Caricom Affairs Minister Dennis Moses will accompany Rowley to the Caricom conference.

Finance Minister Colm Imbert will act as prime minister in Rowley's absence.

Rowley, at an event at Hillview College last Friday, disclosed that he had been experiencing back pains.

He went to the doctor on that day. Rowley was scheduled to see a specialist today.