Guyana president cuts back on public engagements

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – President David Granger has reduced his public engagements in keeping with the advice of his medical team after being diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL), according to an official statement issued on Sunday.

NHL, sometimes called just lymphoma, is a cancer that starts in white blood cells called lymphocytes, which are part of the body’s immune system.  Granger was diagnosed with the cancer earlier this month after he travelled to Cuba for medical treatment.

The Ministry of the Presidency said the decision to stay away from the glare of the public was part of “precautionary measures in light of his recent diagnosis. “As such, due to his continued treatment, the Head of State’s public engagements have been reduced. Notwithstanding, President Granger continues to perform his duties,” the statement added,

It said Granger’s decision, is “consistent with advice from his team of specialist doctors at the Centro de Investigaciones Medico Quirugicas (CIMEQ) in Havana, Cuba”.

Granger returned here from Havana on November 20 wearing a surgical mask to minimize the chances of contracting infective agents.

The statement said President Granger “once again expresses profound gratitude to all those who sent their well-wishes for his full and complete recovery”.