The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) says agriculture minister, Roger Clarke will leave Jamaica on the week-end for the United States where he will undergo a surgical operation and medical treatment for a back condition.
The OPM says Clarke has assured Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller that based on his doctors' advice and the nature of the operation, he will make a full and timely recovery.
In the meantime, the Prime Minister has assigned Labour and Social Security Minister the Hon Derrick Kellier to assume the duties of the Agriculture Minister.
The OPM says while overseas on medical leave, Clarke will maintain on-going contact with Kellier to ensure that there is full continuity and focus on the priorities of the agriculture ministry.
