Tim Gets Stroke

In a radio news story on the state-owned DBS on Thursday morning, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit confirmed that his Health Minister, Julius Timothy, had been flown to Martinique for medical treatment. Timothy collapsed at his home on Wednesday May 1, 2013.

"Last night he complained about numbness in certain parts of his body," Skerrit said adding that "in due course a medical update on his progress will be given and we ask all Dominicans to pray for his well being".

Timothy was first taken to the Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) after he had suffered a stroke, the Sun has been told.

"He was home and complained of feeling unwell, thanks God the maid had not left so she was able to do the necessary to get him to the hospital," a source close to the family stated.

After he was taken to the PMH, he was then airlifted via air ambulance to Martinique for further medical attention since his speech was affected. However, a source told the Sun that while Timothy is "now aware of his surroundings" the French authorities have indicated that they won't be able to assist him with his speech until Tuesday May 7, 2013.

"This is not good, so Timothy will be flown to Miami over the weekend to ensure he gets help with his speech by Monday May 6, 2013", the source said.

Timothy, was a founding member of the main opposition United Workers Party (UWP) but he crossed the floor to join Prime Minister Skerrit's Dominica Labour Party (DLP) after the May 5, 2005 general election. The parliamentary representative for Roseau North is 61 years old. He is a former president of the Dominica Association of Industry and Commerce. He became a parliamentarian in 1995.