President David Granger is still in Cuba for radiology as part of the second phase of his treatment for Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
According to the Ministry of the Presidency, the Head of State’s medical treatment in Cuba has been successful thus far.
The Ministry of the Presidency on Saturday said that although the President has been in Cuba since April 2 for medical evaluation, he has still been pursuing avenues that will benefit the Guyanese populace.
“Last Friday, he visited the Escuela Taller de la Habana in Old Havana and met the administrative staff and two groups of trainees in a classroom situation. The Taller Escuela was established in 1992 and is part of the Office of the Historian of the City of Havana. It trains young people in a variety of skills such as masonry, plumbing and carpentry, among others, and helps them to achieve upward mobility in the system.”
According to the statement from the Ministry, the President has expressed a strong interest in vocational and skills training and wanted to know and learn more about the Cuban approach to the training of Cuban youths who are not in the formal education system.
Additionally, in reviewing the Guyana-Cuba collaboration in the health sector, President Granger expressed a deep concern with the high incidence of cancer, heart disease and diabetes in Guyana and is lobbying for stronger ties between Guyana and the Cuban medical institutions that specialise in those ailments.
The statement came mere days after the Opposition and several sections of the society questioned the whereabouts of the President.
The first phase of President Granger’s medical treatment in Cuba was successfully completed earlier this year.
However, he commenced radiotherapy this month.
The President’s chemotherapy commenced in November 2018 after he was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a type of cancer which envelopes the lymphatic system. On October 30, 2018, the President and First Lady Sandra Granger travelled to Cuba for him to undergo medical tests after he had complained of feeling unwell. Days later, he was diagnosed with cancer. The President has since reduced his number of public engagements.
According to WebMD, Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is cancer that starts in your body’s lymph system. Lymphoma occurs when the lymph node cells or the lymphocytes begin to multiply uncontrollably, producing cancerous cells that have the abnormal capacity to invade other tissues throughout the body.
The website also states that radiation therapy treats cancer by using high-energy waves to kill tumour cells. The goal is to destroy or damage the cancer without hurting too many healthy cells. Early side effects, it states, are nausea and fatigue. Late side effects, such as lung or heart problems, may take years to show up and are often permanent when they do.
The most common early side effects are fatigue and skin problems and persons may also experience hair loss and nausea.
