A new east London MP has spoken of her shock after her “healthy” husband, 39, suffered a stroke during her first day in the Commons on Tuesday.
Labour’s Uma Kumaran, who was elected MP for Stratford and Bow last week, revealed on Wednesday her husband was in hospital following a 24 hours she described as “the hardest of our lives”.
She said she had “never expected” her husband, who is “39 and healthy”, would suffer a stroke and urged people to be on the look-out for warning signs.
On Saturday, a day after being elected in Labour’s landslide general election victory, Mrs Kumaran shared photos of herself during a “whirlwind tour” of Parliament, saying she was ready to “hit the ground running” as MP.
But in an update on Wednesday morning, she asked constituents to “please bear with me” as she revealed her husband’s unexpected health issue.
“Thank you to our amazing NHS staff, especially those on the stroke unit at our local hospital,” she wrote in the post.
An update from me:
— Uma Kumaran MP (@Uma_Kumaran) July 10, 2024
My husband had a TIA stroke yesterday and is in hospital. Please bear with me during this time, and remember, acting FAST can save lives.
Residents of Stratford and Bow - I’ll be back to being your voice in Parliament as soon as I possibly can. Thank you. pic.twitter.com/T3AXJdS6iU
“Yesterday, during my first day in the Commons, I learned my husband was in the emergency ward after suffering a TIA stroke.
“The past 24 hours have been the hardest of our lives, but the care at the stroke unit has been incredible. He’s doing well and is surrounded by family.
“As a result, it is going to take me a little longer than expected to set up my office and I ask for patience and understanding at that time. I will be sworn in and back in parliament soon.
“Thank you to the Speaker, House staff, police, Whips team, and colleagues for their support.
“My husband is 39 and healthy. We never expected this.
First day in the new office ✅
— Uma Kumaran MP (@Uma_Kumaran) July 6, 2024
Missed the footy but have been given a whirlwind tour with the necessary info and briefings to hit the ground running
To have stood on the steps where Mandela gave a speech to both houses of parliament… wow
What a moment 🙏🏾❤️🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/i3i03GD0HY
“Remember - acting FAST can save lives,” she added, referring to the NHS acronym that encourages people to be aware of the signs of strokes, involving face, arms, speech, and the importance of time in getting help.
A transient ischaemic attack, or TIA, is also known as a "mini stroke" and is caused by a temporary disruption in the blood supply to part of the brain.
Mrs Kumaran’s message of praise for the NHS came in a week her Labour colleague, new Health Secretary Wes Streeting, has described the health service as “broken”.
Mr Streeting, who has himself praised the NHS and credited it with saving his life following cancer treatment in 2021, says there is “palpable anxiety” among the British public about whether the NHS will survive. He said he believes it needs “tough love”, but that he is “optimistic” about its future.
Following his Cabinet appointment, he said work to get 40,000 extra NHS appointments a week as pledged by Labour “starts straight away”
