Alliance for Change Chairman Nigel Hughes may not leave Guyana today as planned to undergo heart bypass surgery in Trinidad as local doctors are still evaluating his health and ability to travel.
The 49-year-old attorney arrived at the Caribbean Heart Institute at the Georgetown Public Hospital on Sunday. He was airlifted to the city after suffering a heart attack while in the Rupununi on Saturday. He had spent Saturday night at the Aishalton Hospital.
Sources say his condition was investigated at the CHI and blockage was detected in a key artery.
The plan had originally been to insert a stent into the artery to open it up but sources say that this was not possible as the blockage of that particular artery may be as much as 75%.
Yesterday Hughes was very alert and wanted his gratitude expressed to residents of Rupunnuni.
“If there is one thing I want known is that I am so grateful to the people of the Rupunnuni especially those at Marudi…They were so helpful and I want them to know that I am thankful… Let them know I send sincerest thanks,” a smiling Hughes said yesterday.
Medical personnel told this newspaper that Hughes would have to meet certain medical criteria before flying was approved. “You have to look at the pressure of the air and numerous other health factors… As much as we want him to go as quickly as possibly it is not that simple… We have to stabilise him first but he’s a strong guy. We are confident that he will be okay,” the doctor said.
Students of the David Rose School for the Handicapped also paid Hughes a visit and belted out a soulful rendition of Peter Gabriel’s “Don’t Give Up” for him. They also took him flowers and a card from their allowances that they had pooled together.
This newspaper was informed that Hughes makes contributions to the school and upon learning that he was hospitalised the children came up with the initiative.
Hughes’s wife Cathy and the AFC also said thank you to supporters and persons involved in Hughes being evacuated to the city.
