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Dec 05, 2018 News
President David Granger is set to undergo another round of chemotherapy treatment that will continue in a schedule that will conclude in May. Yesterday, the Head of State left for Cuba for what would be the second of six such engagements.
It will be recalled that President Granger and First Lady Mrs. Sandra Granger had travelled to Cuba on October 30, last, for a medical investigation of the President.
After an intensive series of tests by specialist doctors, he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a cancer that originates in the lymphatic system, the disease-fighting network throughout the body. In non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, tumors develop from lymphocytes — a type of white blood cell.
The President and his wife returned to Guyana from Cuba on November 20, after a number of medical interventions, including the first round of chemotherapy treatment, were performed.
In Cuba the second round of treatment will take place at the Centro de Investigaciones Médico Quirúrgicas (CIMEQ).
The President, who is accompanied by the First Lady, told the Ministry of the Presidency’s Public Information and Press Services (PIPS) Unit, prior to his departure from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) that CIMEQ has drafted a schedule of treatment, which will run until May 2019.
“In my first visit, I had not only the biopsy, but a series of tests and examinations, and I also had my first cycle of chemotherapy. I now have to return for succeeding five cycles, so this is the second cycle and I hope to return much more quickly than I did the first visit, because this is simply the administration of chemotherapy, so presumably after the tests which will be done today, Tuesday, I will have the chemotherapy and return by weekend,” President Granger said.
The Head of State said too that after this round of treatment, he will have to return to Cuba later this month for the third cycle of chemotherapy.
“I expect that by the start of the new year my progress, which has been gradual so far, will be sufficient to allow me to take on more duties,” he said.
Meanwhile, the President expressed much gratitude to all who sent their well wishes for his full and complete recovery.
“I think my illness, although personally unfortunate, has brought forth a response by the Guyanese public, not to a politician, not to a political leader, but to a national President. I think they feel the presidency is what is being jeopardised by this threat to my health and I think what I have seen so far, both privately and publicly, are favourable national concerns that the Head of State, whomever he may be, should enjoy the best health,” he said.
President Granger also thanked Caribbean Heads of Government, business leaders, his colleagues, the churches and the public – particularly those who held vigils while he was in Cuba – for their prayers and support.
“I am encouraged and, you know, in certain medical situations, that psychological and psyche factors are very important. I am very grateful, very thankful. I look forward to resuming my full duties as early as possible,” the Head of State said.
The President’s illness does not have the administration worried, assured Minister of State, Joseph Harmon last week.
In fact, based on the prognosis, Harmon said, it is expected that President Granger will remain at the helm of the country to continue his policies. There is no contemplation of a successor at this time, he said. The former army chief is 73.
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