Thursday, October 09, 2008
SHAW... fell ill and had to be admitted to the University Hospital of the West Indies
Minister of Finance and the Public Service Audley Shaw gave loved ones and close associates a scare yesterday when he fell ill suddenly and had to be admitted to the University Hospital of the West Indies, Mona.
However, members of the Cabinet - who were with him up to last night - confirmed that he was conscious, was in no pain or discomfort and were optimistic that he would be back on the job soon.
Shaw reportedly complained of feeling ill during a meeting of Cabinet colleagues with Prime Minister Bruce Golding. Minister without portfolio at the finance ministry, Senator Dwight Nelson, said that Shaw had no history of ailment and that yesterday's incident came as a surprise.
Minister of Industry, Investments and Commerce Karl Samuda said that it was "out of an abundance of caution" that Shaw was referred to the Tony Thwaites Wing of the University Hospital.
"We were having a discussion when he fell ill. Dr Ken Baugh and Dr Horace Chang (two medical doctors) were both there and we felt that out of an abundance of caution, we should take him to the University Hospital where he could be properly observed," Samuda said last night.
Asked whether he felt that the illness was serious, Samuda said that he did not want to guess what would result from the tests being carried out by the medical team. He confirmed that Shaw was conscious throughout and was "not in any pain or discomfort".
Shaw's colleague minister, Senator Don Wehby felt that Shaw might still be able to attend this weekend's scheduled annual meeting of the board of governors of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group in Washington DC.
The finance minister was scheduled to leave today for that meeting which started October 6 and ends on Monday.
Senator Wehby will be leaving for the meeting this afternoon, accompanied by other officials including newly appointed Financial Secretary Sharon Crooks, who only took office yesterday.
"We will be engaging in meetings with the multilaterals, and we will also use the opportunity to update the rating agencies and our lead bankers," Senator Wehby said.
He said that the team was hopeful that Shaw would be able to join them over the weekend for crucial discussions with multilateral agencies, which also include the Inter-American Development Bank and the Caribbean Development Bank
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