The Diplomat
The Chief Minister of Gibraltar, Fabian Picardo, suffered a detached retina in his right eye and was urgently transferred to a hospital in Jerez on Wednesday, the Government of Gibraltar reported.
Given the seriousness of the condition the Chief Minister was immediately admitted into the hospital, where he remained over-night awaiting emergency surgery, which took place this Thursday.
The recovery from Mr Picardo’s procedure will require him to be as immobile as possible for fourteen days. As a result, Mr Picardo will be unable to discharge the functions of the Office of Chief Minister for two weeks from today. The Deputy Chief Minister, Joseph García, will assume the powers of the Office of Chief Minister for the relevant period.
“I am very grateful to those of my colleagues who have insisted I should have my vision checked, given minor concerns, as leaving this condition without immediate attention could have led to permanent loss of vision in the relevant eye,” Picardo said. “I am sorry that the procedure will require me to be completely out of action in person for two weeks. I am not looking forward to being out of action for 14 days! I know that Joseph Garcia will be able to do an excellent job in my place, and we are and will remain in close contact during the whole period,” he concluded.