Manning recovering from stroke

Former prime minister Patrick Manning.

Sat, February 04, 2012 - 4:19 PM

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – Nearly two weeks after suffering a stroke, former Prime Minister Patrick Manning is unable to walk or speak clearly but is showing “some improvement”, according to media reports quoting doctors treating him.

He is expected to be flown to the United States for further medical treatment.

Medical specialists said Manning, 65, has shown signs of improvement while continuing physiotherapy at the San Fernando General Hospital, the Express newspaper reported.

"He remains in a stable condition and has shown some improvement. He has improved in his leg movement and speech. His treatment continues, especially his physiotherapy which is extremely important at this time," the paper quoted one un-named doctor as saying.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said the government is providing 60,000 TT dollars (100,000 US dollars) for Manning and his wife, Hazel-Ann, to travel to Washington for medical treatment.

On Thursday, his sister, Dr. Petronella Manning told journalists he “seems to be defying the odds with the speed of his recovery.”

She said the stroke was caused by a blood clot that formed in one of two artificial heart valves he had implanted in Cuba more than a decade ago.

Manning was admitted to the hospital on January 23 after suffering a stroke at his home in San Fernando, the island’s second town, in south Trinidad. (CMC)