Dr. Gonsalves left for Cuba on April 13 following his involvement in a motor vehicular accident on April 9. The PM was on his way from North Windward when the vehicle he was travelling in was struck by a truck. Dr. Gonsalves sustained injuries to his lip and stomach. His driver, Sergeant Zaccheus Parris, suffered a fracture to the neck and shoulder.

Sir Louis told reporters at a media briefing held Friday morning at Cabinet Room that the PM was doing remarkably well in Cuba. He reported that the PM was staying at a special beach resort and was on a regimented diet. "We are concerned about his weight," he said.

He said Dr. Gonsalves would under-go surgery on his foot on April 23 and on April 29 he is expected to under-go a second surgery to correct the displaced teeth that were as a result of injuries sustained in the vehicular accident.

During the period of May 2007 to January 2008 50 students will be doing their clinical rotations here. These students, he explained, would be rotated between Grenada and St.Vincent and the Grenadines every two weeks. Sir Louis said Chancellor of the university Charles Mordica told local officials that this arrangement might be temporary. He said a poll conducted on those students scheduled to come to SVG for the semester beginning in January 2008 revealed that 85% were opting not to. Sir Louis said all is being done to ensure that the students feel comfortable and secure and to protect the image of this country.

Dr Gonsalves is expected to spend three weeks in the Latin American country. He is accompanied by his personal security, Christopher Benjamin, Minister of Health, Dr. Douglas Slater, and driver, Zaccheus Parris.