Hospital a week after his heart transplant.

Mr. Ming is said to be sitting up in his bed at Pittsburgh Presbyterian University Hospital and is talking about "everything''.

He is also beginning a number of tests which will build up his strength over the next couple of months.

Mr. Ming's assistant at the National Alcohol and Drug Agency Mrs. Althea Overbey was delighted with the news after speaking to Mr. Ming's wife, Juanita, who is staying in rented accommodation in Pittsburgh.

Mrs. Overbey said: "They turned the ventilator off on Friday and Cal has been sitting up and talking about everything -- as usual! "Mrs. Ming says he is looking well and starting to build up his strength. He is having therapy every day. But he is still very tired.

"Cal Ming is a miracle. The speed he has recovered is amazing after we previously thought it was touch and go. It is overwhelming how the doctors and his faith have brought him through this.'' A spokesman at the hospital confirmed that Mr. Ming has been taken off the ventilator after just over a week.

He is said to be in a fair condition and his family are awaiting news of when he will be released and able to return to Bermuda, although Mrs. Overbey said it will not be for some months.

The 45-year-old chief of NADA received a heart from a West Virginia donor after weeks of waiting in the hospital.

During a seven hour transplant operation surgeons found that the heart was exactly the right size for Mr. Ming.

His parents Mr. Calvin Ming Sr. and Mrs. Hester Ming and his children Carla, 17, and Calvin, 11, flew home yesterday.

While his travel costs and medical expenses are covered by insurance, members of the public have rallied to help raise nearly $50,000 for Mr. Ming to help cover travel and accommodation expenses for his wife. It was raised during a telethon last month.

Mrs. Overbey described this effort as "another miracle''. She said: "It shows just how respected he is for the work he has done in the community.''