PM has another check-up

THE PRIME Minister on Monday had a MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan on his lower back to determine the cause of recent back pains he has been experiencing.

Dr Rowley visited a specialist for the MRI before attending the sitting of the House of Representatives.

Before the sitting began at 1.30 pm, the prime minister was observed chatting and smiling with government MPs.

He told Newsday he now has to wait for the results and added that he continues to carry out his duties.

Rowley first spoke about his back pain at the launch of the University of the West Indies’ reforestation project at Hillview College on June 29.

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 week Thursday.

La Horquetta/Talparo MP Maxie Cuffie was granted additional leave from Parliament from Monday to July 31 by Speaker Bridgid Annisette-George. Cuffie suffered a stroke last September and is recuperating at a hospital in Washington, DC. However yesterday a source close to Cuffie said he could return home “sooner than many expect.”

In a statement in May, Cuffie said he underwent successful surgery, was having therapy and his doctor would tell him whenihe could return to TT.

In April, Cuffie was reassigned from Public Administration and Communications Minister to a minister in that ministry.

Port of Spain South MP Marlene McDonald, who assumed Cuffie’s former position, missed yesterday’s sitting. McDonald was hospitalised last week and is being treated for an existing medical condition.

Also granted leave from Monday’s sitting were Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Fyzbad MP Dr Lackram Bodoe. Persad-Bissessar was granted leave just for that sitting. Bodoe was granted leave for any sittings from July 8-11.