‘Babsy’ out of ICU
OLIVIA “Babsy” Grange is now out of the intensive care unit (ICU) at the Corporate Area hospital where she has been receiving treatment for almost two weeks, a usually reliable source told the Jamaica Observer on Friday.
According to the source, Grange, 78, the minister of culture, gender, entertainment and sports, was admitted to hospital for breathing issues and was subsequently transferred to the ICU, which provides specialised treatment and monitoring for people who are seriously ill.
Government spokesman Abka Fitz-Henley, parliamentary secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, in responding to concerns about the minister’s health said last week that she was admitted to the ICU as a precautionary measure but was “expected to be released from the ICU imminently”.
Just more than 10 years ago, in July 2014, Grange was admitted to the University Hospital of the West Indies after falling ill. It was reported then that Grange went to see her private doctor, who recommended that she be admitted and treated at hospital.
Also, in March 2018 she was admitted to the Tony Thwaites wing — the private arm of the University Hospital of the West Indies. A media report in 2018 said “her breathing is a little off but otherwise she is fine”.