Contact:
Prime Minister's Press Secretary
Tuesday,
February 21, 2006 - Prime Minister Dr Kenny D. Anthony has expressed his
“deep regret and the condolences of the Government and People of St. Lucia” at
the death of a St. Lucian national in Havana.
The Cuban authorities and the Ministry of Health have confirmed that Mrs
Henrietta James, 62, a resident of Bruce Ville, Vieux Fort, died in Havana where
she had gone for eye care treatment under the Miracle Eye Care Programme.
The Cuban authorities confirmed that Mrs James died at the Calixto Garcia
Hospital in Havana on February 14, 2006. She had been taken there for treatment
for a condition unrelated to her eye care and died before any surgery was done.
Mrs James had arrived in Havana on January 25 and was scheduled to be treated
for cataract of both eyes.
However, she was analysed as suffering from “a deep anemia known as anemic
syndrome and vein thrombosis.” That situation worsened with bouts of “vomiting
and dehydration.”
Prime Minister Anthony, who is also the Parliamentary Representative for Vieux
Fort South, said: “I deeply regret the death of Mrs. James and I wish to convey
the condolences of the Cabinet of Ministers and Government and People of St.
Lucia to the relatives of the deceased.”
Cuban Ambassador to St. Lucia Hugo Ruiz and representatives of the Ministry of
Health have visited the family of the deceased and expressed the condolences of
the respective governments.
The Ministry of Health and the Cuban authorities are taking steps to return the
body of Mrs. James to St. Lucia.
