By Admin. Updated 9:29 a.m., Friday, August 6, 2021, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).
Prime Minister, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves successfully completed a Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan in Barbados.
An MRI is a type of scan that uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of the inside of the body, according to the UK NHS.
Press Secretary to the prime minister, Sehon Marshall, in confirming the scan completion told One News SVG on Friday that Dr. Gonsalves “did the MRI, results came back clear”.
Information was not provided as to which medical facility in Barbados the prime minister had the scan done.
Finance Minister Camillo Gonsalves, who is the son of prime minister Gonsalves announced in Parliament on Thursday that the PM was travelling to Barbados to do the MRI scan after being struck in the head by protesters on Thursday, while trying to enter Parliament.
The 74-year-old leader, who is currently the longest-serving CARICOM head of government, will turn 75 on August 8.
THE INCIDENT:
A release from the Office of the Prime Minister on August 5, 2021 stated that:
“On Thursday 5th August, at approximately 5:15pm, the Honourable Ralph E. Gonsalves, duly elected Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, was physically assaulted and wounded by Opposition demonstrators while attempting to enter the House of Assembly.”
“Approximately 200 demonstrators, responding to a call to action from the Leader of the Opposition, picketed the Parliament and blocked the entrance to building. When the crowd prevented the vehicle carrying the Honourable Prime Minister from driving through the gate of the Parliament, he alighted the vehicle and attempted to enter on foot,” the release added.
The release further stated that “An Opposition demonstrator then hurled a projectile at the Prime Minister, which struck him in the head, inches above the temple. The Prime Minister, bleeding profusely, was taken to the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital by his security detail, where he was met by his wife.”
But, some persons have taken to task as to whether it was an opposition supporter that hurled the projectile that injured prime minister Gonsalves.
There has been, however, widespread condemnation of the incident by Vincentians of all walks of life on social media.
The parliament met to debate, among other things, an amendment to the Public Health Bill of 2021 which seeks to make COVID-19 vaccination a requirement for some categories of workers.
The protestors say that they were protesting what they deem to be a move by the government to make COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory.
One News St.Vincent 