Sir Lester Bird is hospitalised

Senior Minister in the Antigua Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) Cabinet and former two-term prime minister Sir Lester Bird is in hospital.

The 78-year-old politician was rushed from his home to the Medical Services Associates Clinic in an ambulance Friday evening and was said to be weak and in a semi-conscious state at the time.

Late yesterday his daughter Rika Bird told OBSERVER media, “He had a bad bout of the flu, was severely dehydrated and was running a fever and because he is extremely diabetic the doctor is not taking any chances.”

Bird said she spoke to her father several times this week and didn’t realise he was still running a temperature.

“I don’t live with him and I rely on his aides for updates. They called me when they realised he was weak and I spoke to his doctor who said to bring him in. They had to rule out pneumonia and thankfully this time is wasn’t his blood sugar level,” she added.

He has been hospitalised twice in recent years because of unstable blood sugar levels.

Bird said she is Sir Lester’s only offspring who resides in Antigua & Barbuda.

OBSERVER media was told that the former leader was transported to the clinic managed by Dr Joseph “Joey” John after complaining of dizziness and other symptoms which were affecting him all of last week.

He was also said to be experiencing fatigue, pain and loss of appetite.

Two weeks ago, when Sir Lester was required to attend court for the appeal involving several Antigua Barbuda Labour Party officials, including himself, the court was told he could not come because he was ill.

His condition at the time had to do with his chronic sports related back problem which has been described as debilitating and has made walking extremely difficult to near impossible.

Sir Lester’s health is in the care of five government-paid assistants who were hired since June 2014.

A Cabinet decision of July 23, 2014 shows that Cabinet approved the employment of two personal aides, two secretaries and one housekeeper to be at his service.(The Daily Observer)

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