(Trinidad Express) Did the absence of Vidwatie Newton, sister and travel assistant to Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, lead to her falling ill during her hectic trip to four countries?
This was the strong suggestion of Housing Minister Roodal Moonilal yesterday.
Newton, who is a qualified nurse, has accompanied the Prime Minister on many of her overseas assignments since July 2010.
However, Newton did not travel with Persad-Bissessar on her most recent trip and the Prime Minister fell ill during the Caricom-Mexico Summit and had to be admitted to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Bridgetown, Barbados, on Monday.
She later discharged herself from the hospital after a number of medical tests were conducted on her at the hospital. She returned to her hotel room and flew back to Trinidad yesterday.
Persad-Bissessar arrived at the Piarco International Airport at around noon and was airlifted by helicopter to a helipad near the San Fernando General Hospital around 1.20 p.m.
She boarded her official vehicle and was taken to her family’s home, where her husband Dr Gregory Bissessar and other relatives were gathered.
Persad-Bissessar smiled and gave a thumbs-up sign as her vehicle passed media photographers.
The Express was told she was accompanied by a medical doctor.
Persad-Bissessar hugged her husband and relatives before going into the house. She then walked onto a balcony and waved at reporters gathered outside her gate.
The Express was later told that Persad-Bissessar was tired and resting.
Speaking with the Express by phone, Moonilal strongly suggested there was a correlation between Newton’s absence and Persad-Bissessar’s illness and that the Prime Minister needed her sister during her overseas assignments.
He told the Express last night: “I observe that this is one of the few trips in which her sister, Miss Newton, did not travel with her. And this trip was very hectic. It was to Panama, Belize, New York, Barbados and Port of Spain, all in less than a week, attending meetings.
“It was one of the few occasions that Ms Newton did not go with her and I am wondering whether her illness had anything to do with this failure, of not having people around her to manage her, not only her preparation (for functions), but also to ensure that she is taking her medication, eating on time, and preparing her, given her needs.
“And we (the Government) would have to assess this because notwithstanding the Opposition’s view, we would have to look at this. Ms Newton plays a critical role as a travel assistant.”
It has been argued the Prime Minister needs that kind of personal assistant as a woman.
And Moonilal agreed with this view.
“There is a reality here, a woman leader … has to organise make-up, hair. A man is just a shower and a jacket and tie. And (furthermore) she is hustling and forgets to eat, forgets to take tablets and so on,” he said.
Newton is responsible for the Prime Minister’s diet, medication, exercise, wardrobe and other health-related and personal issues, Persad-Bissessar said in March of this year.
“This support is provided on a continuous basis literally, as and when required,” she added.
The Prime Minister has also pointed out she had the option of formally employing Newton, as a member of her personal staff, but refused to do so “to avoid any allegations of nepotism in consequence of which Ms Newton receives no salary from the State”.
However, the Prime Minister has been criticised by the Opposition which has been asking questions in the Parliament on a weekly basis with respect to Newton’s entitlements as travel assistant, which include first class travel and a per diem allowance.
On the issue of the Prime Minister’s current health condition, Moonilal assured she would be well enough to deliver the feature address at the People’s Partnership’s second anniversary rally in Chaguanas tomorrow.
Moonilal, who along with acting Prime Minister Jack Warner met the Prime Minister at the Piarco International Airport yesterday, said she was at home resting yesterday. He said there was a planning meeting at her Phillipine home later last night at which she was expected to participate.
“Myself and Mr Warner would carry on the (planning) meeting and we believe later in the evening she would attend to bring greetings. … We expect her to be well for Thursday.”
