PORT-OF-SPAIN – Renowned calypso icon Slinger Francisco, popularly known as Sparrow, is resting comfortably at a private hospital in Maryland, United States, after undergoing emergency surgery. According to a release, he suffered acute pain on the right groin. Francisco was released from hospital on Monday and is expected to make a full recovery, it stated. Recently, Francisco suffered health problems during his not so perfect performance at the NAPA Fest, Port-of-Spain, last Sunday. He said it could be vertigo – a condition characterised by dizziness. A medical report was prepared by Dr Patricia Sandiford. She had administered emergency care and accompanied Francisco to the hospital after he suffered the attack while performingat a venue in Maryland.Sandiford was assisted by fellow doctors Jacinta Arrington and Roger Weir in administering emergency care at the venue. When he was stabilised, Sparrow was transported by ambulance to Montgomery General Hospital in Olney, Maryland, it stated. The release said: “Francisco was diagnosed with an incarcerated right inguinal hernia, which was reduced within six to eight hours. “He subsequently had emergency surgery performed by Dr George Conrad at the same hospital. “He tolerated the procedure well and was in stable condition immediately after surgery. He was discharged on Monday.”Promoters Carlton Joseph and Fred Thornhill also prepared a release, in which they said Francisco had to be assisted offstage during his performance at Kaiso On The Greens.Sparrow began his performance by joking about the latest rumour that he had gone to the great beyond. He kept up the momentum by singing two verses of Sparrow Dead. Still, fans noticed it was a more subdued Sparrow who performed from a seated position centre stage. Although he appeared to be physically weak, his humour was intact and his voice was strong and unmistakably Francisco’s. He had the appreciative patrons on their feet dancing, waving and singing along.As his performance wound to a close, what was an almost unnoticed, occasional clutching of the lower right side became a painful grimace. It brought Francisco’s performance and the show to a premature end. Sparrow had to be assisted offstage and taken into the house. Francisco said: “The only thing is, I aint dead yet. Hallelujah.” (Trinidad Guardian)
