JAMAICANS have been extending best wishes and prayers for former Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller who is recovering in hospital after being admitted Thursday night for what the People’s National Party (PNP) said was “non-emergency care”.

“She has made a change for the better. The medication worked overnight and she is now stable,” a source close to Simpson Miller told the Jamaica Observer Friday afternoon.

News that the much-loved Simpson Miller, who in 2006 became Jamaica’s first woman prime minister, has been hospitalised ignited a flurry of concern here and in the diaspora with many people posting best wishes for her health on the Jamaica Observer‘s website and social media platforms.

Last evening the PNP, which Simpson Miller served for more than 40 years and led as president from 2005 to 2017, said she was “doing well and is being supported by a capable medical team and her loved ones”.

The party also expressed “sincere gratitude” for the prayers and well wishes being extended to her and said it was praying for “good health and a speedy recovery” for the former leader who is affectionately referred to as Sister P or Mama P.

Current PNP president and Opposition Leader Mark Golding, in a Twitter post, urged Jamaicans to “unite in prayer for her to regain her strength and be back in the comfort of her home”.

Minister of Science, Energy and Technology Daryl Vaz also posted on Twitter: “My prayers for Mama P at this time. My dad and her had a special friendship which passed down to me. Get well soon.”

Young Jamaica, one of the youth group affiliates of the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), said it was saddened to learn of Simpson Miller’s hospitalisation and expressed its wish for her “speedy full recovery”.

“Portia connected with Jamaicans and evoked genuine love from all walks of life throughout her four decades of public service. She is a symbol of perseverance and affability, with an everlasting legacy of positive contribution to the nation,” Young Jamaica said in a statement.

An Observer reader who posts using the handle Delroy Henry, said: “Mama P, you are so special… I pray to the Almighty to bring you healing & a speedy recovery. Get well soon Mama P… I Love, UK Shout Out.”

Another, who posts as Vision2000 wrote, “Hoping she pulls through, whatever is wrong.”

Among the flood of comments on the Observer‘s Instagram page were:

evangscwilson — Get well soon Mama P. Praying for you;

stacysimpson3397 — Praying for her;

keswickhamilton — Prayers and speedy recovery for Sister P; and

kgn13_waltham — Stand firm Comrade!!! Wishing you a speedy recovery.

On Facebook, Lorraine Wiltshire posted, “Hope all goes well. Prayers going up”; Monica Henry wrote “Praying for complete healing”; Lucy Arthurs commented “Get well soon, Mama P, praying for strength and healing in the mighty name of Jesus Christ Amen”; while Hmw Wills said, “I honestly hope she is responding and doing okay because this is a generally strong woman. God knows best to her family and friends.”

The Twitter posts were basically similar in the sentiments expressed by @DwightRicketts37 — “Speedy recovery Mama P”; @lingerie_obsess — “Lord, plz let she be ok. We are praying for you Sista P”; and @DaRealBigDon — “Prayers up for Mama P.”