Manning: I’m fine

San Fernando East MP Patrick Manning arrives at his home in Sumadh Gardens, Vistabella, San Fernando, yesterday with his wife Hazel

(Trinidad Express) Former prime minister Patrick Manning was discharged from the San Fernando General Hospital yesterday after suffering a seizure on Thursday evening.

Manning left the hospital with his wife Hazel around 11 a.m.

The former political leader of the People’s National Movement (PNM) said he was “fine”.

Hazel Manning, who had spent the night with her husband at the hospital , said “everything is fine with him”.

San Fernando East MP Patrick Manning arrives at his home in Sumadh Gardens, Vistabella, San Fernando, yesterday with his wife Hazel
San Fernando East MP Patrick Manning arrives at his home in Sumadh Gardens, Vistabella, San Fernando, yesterday with his wife Hazel

Manning, the Member of Parliament for San Fernando East, was at his constituency office at Coffee Street in San Fernando when he fell ill around 4 p.m. on Thursday.

At the time, he was involved in the planning of a thanksgiving service to be held in his honour at the National Academy for Performing Arts(NAPA) South Campus to be held today. The Express was told the function will go on as planned.

Manning was rushed to the San Fernando General Hospital by ambulance. He underwent a brain scan, was sedated by doctors and was monitored by neurologist Dr Kanta Ramcharan and head of the Emergency Department, Dr Ricardo Narinesingh.

Manning’s son David told the Express on Thursday there was nothing to be alarmed about and three separate seizures were expected to occur after his father suffered a stroke on the right side of his body on January 23 last year.

The seizure that occurred on Thursday was Manning’s second.

He suffered his first seizure in August last year. A seizure is a change in behaviour that usually occurs after any abnormal activity in the brain.

Assistant secretary at the constituency office, Karlene Granger, said yesterday she and another worker were with Manning when the seizure occurred.

She said they noticed Manning’s eyes making strange movements and his body was shaking on the left side. She called the ambulance services which responded immediately.

Granger said while they were waiting for the ambulance to arrive, “there were a lot of prayers taking place in the office”.

She said Manning was in “good spirits” and the thanksgiving service will be held as planned at 4.30 p.m.

Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley has been invited to attend.