Prime Minister Andrew Holness left the island Wednesday morning for the United States to visit former Prime Minister Edward Seaga, who is in hospital in Florida.
Seaga, who served as Jamaica’s fifth prime minister between 1980 and 1989, was
admitted to hospital in serious condition last week. The former Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) leader is reportedly being treated for cancer.
According to the Office of the Prime Minister, Holness will return to the island on Wednesday evening, when he is expected to update the nation on Seaga's condition.
Seaga is the last surviving member of the framers of the Jamaican Constitution. He served as JLP leader for 31 years, and as Member of Parliament (MP) for West Kingston for 43 years, from 1962 until his retirement in 2005, the longest ever by a Jamaican politician.
He turns 89 on May 28.
During Holness' brief absence from the island, Audley Shaw, Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries will be in charge of Government.
