Perry Gomez
Bahamian politician (1947–2023)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 and 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.
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Michael Perry Gomez | |
|---|---|
Gomez in 2013 | |
| Minister of Health | |
| In office 12 May 2012 – 11 May 2017 | |
| Prime Minister | Perry Christie |
| Preceded by | Hubert Minnis |
| Succeeded by | Duane Sands |
| Member of the House of Assembly of the Bahamas for North Andros and Berry Islands | |
| In office 12 May 2012 – 11 May 2017 | |
| Preceded by | Vincent Peet |
| Succeeded by | Carlton Bowleg Jr. |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 18 January 1947 New Providence, Bahamas |
| Died | 21 October 2023 (aged 76) |
| Party | Progressive Liberal Party |
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
| 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 | |||
