STATEMENT BY THE FIRST LADY OF GUYANA, MRS. JANET JAGAN IN REGARD TO THE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING THE PRESIDENT'S HEART ATTACK


For clarification, I would like to say that the President returned to State House on Friday, February 14, 1997 at about 8:00 p.m., having chaired a meeting of the Defence Board earlier. I had for long been trying to get him to return home at least by 5:00 p.m., but he reminded me that he had to attend this important meeting.

We chatted, played with the dog and then had dinner. He ate heartily and we talked over the dinner table as he always did. At no time did he mention to me that he did not feel well. He went to his desk as usual and he had on his TV. (He sometimes relaxes from work at the desk by viewing television).

At about 11:45 p.m. he woke me up. I went into the adjoining room and saw two doctors and my nephew, Dr. Clive Jagan, and was told that he was unwell. I asked the President why he had not told me before, and I gathered that he did not want to disturb me.

I then packed a bag for him to go to the hospital. I was told that I need not go to the hospital and would be given any necessary information early in the morning.

My son, daughter and daughter-in-law have been at the President's bedside since he arrived at the Walter Reed Memorial Hospital and we are deeply appreciative of the devotion and expert care he is receiving. We are depending on the President's well-known strength of character and fighting spirit to carry him to recovery.

February 19, 1997