A statement issued by his family on Monday said that James, 90, who was first taken to the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital from his hometown of Bequia, his hometown, last week, said that he continues to receive excellent care and attention from the doctors and nurses and in particular from “Dr Fakoory, the head of the ICU and Dr Emtage as well as one of our very own, Vincentian Dr Wilson who is also on the ICU team.”

The statement said that his daughters, Sabrina and Louise have been with him over the past days and his other daughters, Gretel and Gabija, are flying in today from Toronto and London and that other family members will also visit.

“He continues to enjoy having his favourite song ‘Don’t Cry for me Argentina’, played for him daily as well as having hymns and other favourite songs sung to him and prayers read, as well as poems including a new favourite, ‘Chant for the Bequia Easter Regatta’, by Richard Dey,” the statement said.

The statement said he has been “reciting with his daughters the following evening prayer: ‘O Lord, support us all the day long, until the shadows lengthen and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then in thy mercy grant us a safe lodging, and a holy rest, and peace at last.’ After each reading, he says, ‘Amen!’”

The statement said that the family is “grateful ad humbled” for the “overwhelming outpouring of love” towards Sir James, adding “we ask that you continue to lift him up in your thoughts and prayers”.

Sir James, an agronomist, became a parliamentarian at age 35. He was Prime Minister from 1984-2000 and in 1975, he founded the now main opposition New Democratic Party (NDP).