 Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams leaves after a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper in St John's January 29, 2010. REUTERS/Greg Locke
|
Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams is out of surgery and recovering at a medical facility in the U.S., his office confirmed Thursday.
Acting premier Kathy Dunderdale said Williams underwent heart surgery on Thursday morning and the procedure went extremely well.
It’s not known what type of procedure Williams underwent, but Dunderdale said the premier was able to have “the preferred option,” which means his recovery time should be minimal. She said Williams is expected to remain in intensive care for the next 24 hours, and should be back to work in early March.
The premier's office continues to be tight-lipped about his whereabouts, calling it a privacy matter.
Dr. David Fitchett of St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto said there are “very few” heart procedures that are done in the U.S. that can't be done in Canada.
“I do not think any centre (in Canada) is replacing valves with robotic surgery as they are doing at the Cleveland Clinic.” Williams' decision to go to the U.S. for treatment has sparked debate across Canada. The premier is known as a staunch defender of Canada's public health-care system.
Dunderdale said the experience has been “frustrating” for Williams and his family.
“This is a stressful time. Any kind of heart surgery brings with it a great deal of angst,” she said. “And to have to deal with the debate and the invasion of privacy during this time has been difficult, for his children, I think, particularly.”
The debate has also been picked up in the U.S., where the situation has been used as an example of the failings of a public health-care system.
Dunderdale said it was wrong to make Williams the “poster boy” for the health-care debate there.
“It's a bit much,” she said. “It goes beyond the pale.” She said Williams didn't do anything different than anyone else would do in the same situation.
While debate continues to pick up in the rest of Canada, Newfoundlanders are showering their ever-popular premier with well-wishes online and over the airwaves.
Newspapers and talk radio shows have been inundated with praise for Williams, and fiery criticism for anyone questioning his office's silence about the situation.
One person called VOCM Open Line host Randy Simms an “idiot” when he questioned the government's silence about the situation.
Numerous Facebook groups have emerged to express support for the ailing premier.
Get Well Premier Williams boasted 3,962 members by Thursday afternoon.
Get Well Soon Premier DANNY WILLIAMS had 1,139. Both groups threatened to remove any users who posted negative comments.
“If I was down and out, I would appreciate knowing that I have people who are thinking about my well being, not just trying to get political points,” said Daniel Foley, creator of the DANNY WILLIAMS group.
