Prime Minister sustains injury to left ankle

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves is working from home, after he sustained an injury to his left ankle.{{more}}

Gonsalves made the disclosure to SEARCHLIGHT yesterday morning.

Gonsalves said he had injured his ankle a few weeks ago, but “felt pretty okay” to still walk on it and even attend work.

However, on Wednesday, March 9, while walking up the stairs at his home and answering his cellular phone, he missed his step.

“I heard a snap and it apparently was the ligament or ligaments and it started to swell very quickly,” said Gonsalves, whose ankle has been placed in a cast.

Gonsalves said his injury caused him to postpone today’s sitting of the House of Assembly.

He said the injury is God’s way of showing him that he needs to rest.

The Prime Minister was in good spirits during the interview.

“I feel good. …I am working from home,” said Gonsalves.

The Prime Minister is being treated by Orthopaedic Surgeon Dr. Charles Woods.

He said Dr.Woods has recommended that he rest the leg for about six days.

Responding to his critics, as to why he has not appointed an Acting Prime Minister, Gonsalves said he has to act constitutionally.

“I can only go to the Governor General to appoint an Acting Prime Minister if (a) I am out of the country or (b) within the bounds of the country that I am incapacitated to the extent that I cannot function.

“But I am not incapacitated to the extent that I cannot function. I don’t have to be at the office to function as Prime Minister,” said Gonsalves, who noted that he was taking care of business as usual from the residence of the Prime Minister, as well as from his home at Gorse, on the central Windward coast of mainland St. Vincent.

The Prime Minister hopes to be back on the move by this weekend. (HN)