Marlene: ‘No time to rest’

Minister of Public Administration, Marlene Mc Donald, as she speaks to the media on her first day back to work after being hospitalised, NALIS, Port of Spain
PHOTO:ANGELO M. MARCELLE
Minister of Public Administration, Marlene Mc Donald, as she speaks to the media on her first day back to work after being hospitalised, NALIS, Port of Spain PHOTO:ANGELO M. MARCELLE

PUBLIC Administration Minister Marlene McDonald is ready to get back to work. Yesterday was McDonald’s first full day on the job, after taking sick leave last month due to a bout of pneumonia. In an interview at the Nalis building in Port of Spain, McDonald said she has been given a clean bill of health by her doctors.

During the last month, McDonald said she spent nine days in St Clair Medical Centre. “The rest of the time, I was convalescing at home.” Recalling that her doctors prescribed antibiotics as part of her treatment, McDonald said she was thinking about getting her own nebuliser (a drug delivery device used to administer medication in the form of a mist inhaled into the lungs. They are commonly used to treat cystic fibrosis, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other respiratory diseases or disorders). Asked whether her recent illness caused her to change her normal work routine, McDonald said, “Actually, I don’t think that is necessary. Everybody knows I’m a workaholic. Whatever task is set, I do my task with a degree of vigour and dynamism.”

She said she begins her work day at 8.30 or 9 am and leaves the office between 8 and 10 pm on some nights.

“I always say work, work and if you enjoy it, you should be okay.” Saying there is a lot of work to be done, McDonald said she will be meeting soon with the permanent secretary to review the ministry’s proposals for the 2018/2019 budget. She plans to take her regular Christmas vacation in Tobago in December, but is not taking any time off right now.

She hoped to welcome Minister in the Public Administration Ministry Maxie Cuffie back soon.

Cuffie suffered a stroke last September and had been recuperating at a hospital in Washington. DC. He returned home last Thursday. McDonald said she spoke with him earlier this week but he did not say when he will be back at work. Sources said Cuffie could be back to work in early September. Parliament is scheduled to resume its sittings after September 3. McDonald said she will discuss the ministry’s priorities with Cuffie when he returns.

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