Jamaican prime minister recovers after collapse

By Fitzroy Pendergast
Special to CNN

KINGSTON, Jamaica (CNN) -- Prime Minister P.J. Patterson is resting at his home Friday after he collapsed at a political function in Greater Portmore on Thursday night.

"There are no medical problems that we should be scared about," Patterson's spokesman, Colin Campbell, told CNN.

Patterson was released Friday from University Hospital and is being treated by doctors at his home, Campbell said.

Percival James Patterson, 66, has led Jamaica as prime minister since 1992 and experiences widespread popularity in his country. However, his People's National Party has recently lost a lot of ground.

Many Jamaicans blame the PNP for instigating three days of violence in July that left 27 people dead in an area of Kingston that is a stronghold for the opposition Jamaica Labour Party.

Patterson is seen as the PNP's greatest drawing card and his tireless campaign efforts for re-election in May 2002 have led to a recent upswing in support for the party, although it is still behind in the polls.