Planning and Development Minister Camille Robinson-Regis, who had gallbladder removal surgery recently, is continuing to recuperate at home, the Office of the Prime Minister stated last night.
Robinson-Regis, 62, had surgery last week. She was recently discharged from the facility where she had the surgery.
Last week, the OPM had stated that she had surgery and she would be on extended leave. The OPM didn’t state what the surgery was for, leading to widespread speculation on her condition.
Last night, however, the OPM stated Robinson-Regis is now at home “resting comfortably after undergoing surgery for the removal of her gallbladder.”
“Minister Robinson-Regis is on good spirits and has asked this office to convey her gratitude to all who sent fond and caring wishes for her recovery and return to full health,” the release stated.
Robinson-Regis, the Arouca-Maloney MP, is on extended sick leave from January 14 for six weeks thereafter.
Public Administration Minister Allyson West is shouldering the Planning and Development Ministry in Robinson- Regis’ absence.
Robinson-Regis will be out of Parliament until February 26.
On Monday, Opposition leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar complained that the Government didn’t have a sitting of Parliament yesterday - a day when the United National Congress’ no-confidence motion against National Security Minister Stuart Young was to have been debated. Opposition motions are debated every fourth Friday of the month.
Persad-Bissessar said if the motion had been debated yesterday, the PNM Government, which has 22 MPs, would only have had a very slim majority to UNC’s 19 MPs, since Robinson-Regis was ill and out of Parliament.
Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, who also had angioplasty procedure, only returned to work last week and moreso this week. Persad-Bissessar accused the Government of being afraid to face the UNC’s motion.
Robinson-Regis’ leave ends at a time when she may be out to Parliament on the fourth Friday of the month - February 26 - which is the day when the UNC’s motion against Young will be debated.