BREAKING: President Granger diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma; Chemotherapy treatment to begin on Thursday

A senior official of the Government confirmed the diagnosis to News Source this evening and explained that the Guyana Embassy in Cuba will issue a full release on the development within the next 24hrs. 

BREAKING: President Granger diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma; Chemotherapy treatment to begin on Thursday

Guyana’s President, retired Brigadier David Granger, has been diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and will begin chemotherapy treatment on Thursday.

A senior official of the Government confirmed the diagnosis to News Source this evening and explained that the Guyana Embassy in Cuba will issue a full release on the development within the next 24hrs.

The President, who traveled to Cuba two weeks ago to investigate some health concerns, is expected to remain in Cuba until the completion of his chemotherapy treatment. A timeline for that treatment has not been provided, but it is likely to take a few weeks.

President Granger will also have to remain in Cuba until his doctors give him the all clear to travel, according to the Government source.

The senior Government official told News Source that doctors have given the President “a good prognosis” and he is expected to make a full recovery, once treatment is completed.

“He is in good spirits”, the Government official said.

The American Cancer Society describes non-hodgkin’s lymphoma as a cancer that starts in white blood cells called lymphocytes, which are part of the body’s immune system.

President and First Lady just before they departed for Cuba in October.

“Lymphoma affects the body’s lymph system (also known as the lymphatic system). The lymph system is part of the immune system, which helps fight infections and some other diseases. It also helps fluids move through the body. Lymphomas can start anywhere in the body where lymph tissue is found”, the American Cancer Society explains on its website.

The 73-year-old President left Guyana on October 30th for Cuba, days after returning from a health check with his doctors in Trinidad and Tobago. His decision to travel to Cuba was on his doctor’s advice. He had complained to his doctors about losing his appetite and noticing a weight loss.

Since being in Cuba, the President was hospitalised and a surgical procedure was conducted on him as part of the probe to determine his diagnosis.

The President is in Cuba with his wife, First Lady Sandra Granger, and has reportedly been checking in with his office and senior government officials regularly.

UPDATE FROM EMBASSY IN CUBA

The Embassy of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana in the Republic of Cuba wishes to make the following official Statement on the presence of His Excellency, Brigadier David Arthur Granger, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, in the Republic of Cuba.
 
His Excellency, the President, arrived in Havana on Tuesday, October 30, initially, for a medical investigation which he deemed necessary because of an unusual physical discomfort. He was received by a Cuban Medical Team which commenced the first phase of medical examination.
 
Subsequent to a series of medical tests, the President was diagnosed as suffering from Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma and was placed in the Centro de Investigaciones Medico Quirurgicas (CIMEQ) on Thursday, November 1, where he underwent a surgical procedure. On Tuesday, November 6, His Excellency, the President, was discharged from CIMEQ and returned to his official accommodation.
The President’s medical personnel has now begun the second phase of treatment today, Wednesday, November 14, 2018, and he is likely to be placed in CIMEQ for a short period of two to three days.
 
During this time, President has been working and resting in accordance with the advice he has been receiving from his doctors. He is in fine form and a good frame of mind. He is expected to fully recover under the supervision of his doctors.
 
His Excellency, the President, wishes to express his deep gratitude to Guyanese in the Homeland and in the Diaspora, to the various Prime Ministers and Presidents, to the CARICOM Diplomatic Caucus in Cuba, to his friends and colleagues, and all those who sent their best wishes for his full and complete recovery – and his speedy return to Guyana.
 
Above all, the President would like to publicly thank His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Cuba, the Government of Cuba, and the medical staff of CIMEQ for the special care and attention which he has received while in Havana – and, indeed, for the excellent facilities in which he is being accommodated.
 
The Embassy of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana in the Republic of Cuba will be issuing another Statement prior to the departure of His Excellency, the President, from Cuba.

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