Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves suffered a concussion when he was struck in the head by an object outside Parliament on Thursday, he said on his official Facebook page.
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or by a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth, the US Centers for Disease Prevention and Control says.
This sudden movement can cause the brain to bounce around or twist in the skull, creating chemical changes in the brain and sometimes stretching and damaging brain cells, the CDC further states on its website.
On Friday, Gonsalves published a video on his Facebook page showing him, accompanied by his wife, Eloise, leaving the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, in Barbados, where he was taken for a brain scan Thursday night.
In the post, the prime minister said that he could confirm that there are “no neurological deficits” as a result of the injury.
He, however, said that he must be monitored for the next four to six weeks.
Gonsalves, who turns 75 on Sunday, is expected to return to St. Vincent on Saturday, his deputy, Montgomery Daniel, told NBC Radio, Friday morning.
Thursday night, Minister of Local Government Senator Julian Francis told Parliament that a woman was in police custody and had admitted to injuring the prime minister.
He said that the woman wanted to apologise to Gonsalves.
However, on Friday, lawyer Kay Bacchus-Baptiste said on radio that the woman had denied the allegation, and that that had “police intimidated her, oppressed her into admitting” that she had struck the prime minister.
Below if the full text of the prime minister’s Facebook post shortly after 1 p.m. on Friday:
By the grace of God almighty, I am doing well and on the mend. It is confirmed that there are no neurological deficits. However, I have suffered a concussion and must be monitored over the next four to six weeks. But, it could have been far more serious.
I take this assault as not just an injury, but, also look to the intent of the throwing of this projectile at me. The intent was to cause grave harm, even death.
It is equally culpable: the person who threw the stone as are those who instigate and continue to instigate disgraceful events that threaten my life and the lives of others. There is one person whom I hold responsible, and it is not just the person who did the direct act. We can have our disagreements, but, to cross the line into violence is unacceptable in a democratic society.
By all means, exercise your right to protest, but, that gives you no right to do violence toward anyone.
It is the fundamental right of parliamentarians to have access to the parliament in order to discharge their duty. And, it is the right of the people of North Central Windward to have their duly elected representation heard and not denied. I am heartened that Parliament continued their work last night even in my absence.
I would like to thank the hundreds of people who have send their thoughts and prayers and condemned the senseless violence that occurred. I would also like to thank the police officers who sought to protect the right of the voters of North Central Windward to have their voice represented in Parliament. And, of course, to the doctors both in St. Vincent and Barbados in whose good hands saw me through.
But comrade how about the thousands who have not sent their prayers? Do you really think that your continuing dynastical presence is acceptable going forward. Why not consider a nice peaceful break in Venezuela or Cuba to allow you time to think through your future.
So he gets a concussion and flies to Barbados for medical help. The average Vincentian have more serious injuries and have no choice but to depend on the inadequate healthcare system he has allowed to deteriorate. SMH
We don’t want to have a tit for tat situation developing out of this unfortunate situation so as someone who’ll love to see the back of the pm I condemn this act because I don’t want it happening to any future leader(s) of Vincy. I also hope it’s condemned by the opposition and all Vincentians regardless of their political persuasion. The office of PM must be respected otherwise incidents like these could easily become the norm..we have to guard against that.
Trish, the people love it so.
Come on he is the Prime Minister he has to be taken care of properly. Not long ago that is the PM fighting for his ppl when the volcano erupted .
Remember his comments JA lick them with disease, C NOW JA LICK THEM WITH STONE
His family did warn him, but being a big head he knew better.
How many sutures the wound took? looking at the news, it appears a superficial wound to me.
Where. do the citizens go. when they need this kind of medical intervention? as a friend said
they go to the state of the art morgue. it appears only the rich and famous survives these times while the indegent poor are made to suffer, why, they love it so , and are prou d of being so.