KINGSTON, Jamaica – Former Prime Minister and People’s National Party President Portia Simpson Miller has been released from hospital and is now recuperating at home.

PNP chairman Dr Angela Brown-Burke made the disclosure in an interview with reporters on Tuesday.

“Let me use the opportunity to express our sincere appreciation for the number of individuals who have expressed their concern, their love and their best wishes for the Honourable Portia Simpson Miller. We are pleased to say that she is recuperating at home and that all those prayers, concerns and love that have been shown that they are well and truly appreciated,” said Brown Burke, who succeeded Simpson Miller as Member of Parliament for St Andrew South Western after the former prime minister’s retirement from politics in 2017.

Simpson Miller, who in 2006 became Jamaica’s first woman prime minister, was rushed to a Corporate Area hospital last Thursday for what the PNP said was “non-emergency care”. Still, news that the popular political figure had been hospitalised ignited a flurry of concerns here and in the Diaspora with many people posting best wishes for her health on the Jamaica Observer’s website and social media platforms.

READ: Prayers for Portia

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”.

“I know in particular for the individuals from South West St Andrew, who have grown up with ‘Sister P’, grown up with Mama P, every time we hear something about her persons always want to know more. She really remains in their hearts. She has been a mainstay for many of them who have grown up knowing her as MP for Southwest St Andrew, and on their behalf as well, I know that they too are pleased to know that she is home and recuperating,” Brown-Burke said.