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Perry Gomez

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Michael Perry Gomez
Minister of Health
In office
12 May 2012 – 11 May 2017
Prime MinisterPerry Christie
Preceded byHubert Minnis
Succeeded byDuane Sands
Member of the House of Assembly of the Bahamas for North Andros & Berry Islands
In office
12 May 2012 – 22 October 2023
Personal details
Born(1947-01-18)18 January 1947
New Providence, Bahamas
Died21 October 2023(2023-10-21) (aged 76)
Political partyProgressive Liberal Party

Michael Perry Gomez (18 January 1947 – 21 October 2023) was a Bahamian politician, who served as Minister of Health and as member for North Andros & Berry Islands in the House of Assembly of the Bahamas.[1] First elected to the legislature in the 2012 election after defeating Education Minister Desmond Bannister by a margin of 24 votes,[1] he was appointed by Prime Minister Perry Christie to be Minister of Health.

Early life

Gomez was born on New Providence and graduated from the University of the West Indies with a degree in medicine in 1971. He then attended medical school at Wayne State University where he specialized in Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases.[2]

Career

Gomez was known globally for his work on HIV/AIDS research, being the founder and director of the National HIV Programme of the Bahamas. Under his direction, the Programme had a major impact on decreasing the spread of the disease. HIV transmission rates in the Bahamas declined by more than 30 percent and HIV transmission from mother-to-child also decreased dramatically. Seventy-two percent of all persons with advanced HIV receive requisite treatment and all persons with HIV and TB co-infection receive full treatment for both conditions.[1]

Death

Perry Gomez died on 21 October 2023, at the age of 76.[3]

Electoral history

General Election 2012: North Andros & Berry Islands[4]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
PLP Perry Gomez 1,192 48.75 −4.92
FNM Desmond Bannister 1,168 47.77 +1.44
Democratic National Alliance Randy Butler 85 3.48 +3.48
Majority 24 0.98 −6.37
Turnout 2,445 93.53
PLP hold Swing -6.37

Notes

  1. ^ a b c "Nation's Health In Dr Gomez' Hands". Nassau Tribune, May 15, 2012.
  2. ^ "Perry Gomez". The Nassau Guardian, 2012.
  3. ^ Former Health Minister Dr Perry Gomez has died at the age of 76
  4. ^ "North Andros & Berry Islands" (PDF). Election 2012. Nassau Guardian. 7 May 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 May 2012. Retrieved 8 May 2012.