St. Vincent Radio personality Colin Graham collapses on live radio

In St Vincent, an opposition political activist and radio personality, Colin Graham, was rushed to hospital on Monday after he fell ill and collapsed while conducting his radio program Graham was hosting the opposition New Democratic Party's (NDP) “New Times” program, on NICE Radio, when he collapsed in the studio, Douglas De Freitas, the station's manager told listeners He said the program, which is broadcast on weekdays would be suspended until Tuesday

A worker at the station found Graham in the studio and her screams in reaction were broadcast live as she appealed for help for the broadcaster

“It is still very concerning to all of us who were listening to the program this morning, as I was, for his family and I believe for all the people in St Vincent and the Grenadines, who would be very concerned and worried this morning,” NDP President and Opposition Leader Godwin Friday said

“We got to the studio shortly after He was sitting up The party's general secretary has taken him to the hospital,” Friday said and asked listeners to keep Graham in their prayers

“We are still very concerned; very worried We are all very concerned for him It is good to know that he was speaking,” Friday said, adding “let's hope and pray that this is something that will be resolved soon and that Colin will be back as soon as possible” should not be interrupted,” the alert stated

According to PAHO's Technical Advisory Group (TAG) on vaccines, the risk of outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases in the region is at its highest point in the last 30 years

PAHO estimates that in 2021 more than 1 7 million children in 28 countries and territories of the Americas did not receive an initial dose of measles vaccine by their first birthday

In 2021, PAHO said regional coverage for the first dose of measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR) was 85 percent It said only six countries reached the recommended level of 95 percent or more needed to sustain elimination of these diseases, and ten countries reported coverage of less than 80 percent

Measles is a serious and highly contagious virus, for which safe and effective vaccines are available It said between 2000 and 2018, the measles vaccine prevented an estimated 23 2 million deaths worldwide

He said the most important thing now is for Graham to be checked out by medical staff at the hospital Graham has become the second “New Times” host to fall ill live on radio In 2012, then host of the program was incomprehensible for about 12 minutes live on air after suffering a stroke in the NICE Radio studio

He died two years later

In August 2020, communications professional and activist Samuel Jeremiah George better known as Jerry S George died during a live broadcast of his “Early in the Morning with Jerry S George” after telling his co-host, “I'll step out of the frame, eh Okay? You go ahead ”

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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF EMERITUS