Manning didn't follow procedure for blood test: Health Minister

Health Minister Dr Fuad Khan said Monday he has investigated the claim made by Patrick Manning's sister about why it took three weeks for the former prime minister to receive the results of blood tests.

The Express newspaper reported Khan's explanation, which it said it received in a text message from the minister.

"I investigated the claim that the results took 21 days and found that Mr Manning walked into Mt Hope (Hospital) without a requisition from a doctor and asked for a blood test.

"The test was done and the results slipped under the door of a medical personnel and then placed on her desk.

"A patient cannot just walk into a facility, no matter who it is. That is where the system breaks down. The results for a blood test takes one day. Mr Manning didn't follow proper procedure. If he had a requisition from a doctor, the results would have gone directly to his doctor and the patient would have been given anticoagulant if the doctor was concerned".

The paper said the minister also stated that he had no discussion with Manning's wife, Hazel, about the quality and standard of medication entering the country.

"I asked how Mr Manning was feeling. No one should make that blanket statement without any proof or investigation and Mrs Manning-Alleyne usually does a lot of research so I cannot understand why she said that without analysing it first", the paper quoted Khan as saying.