Perry Gomez

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	(1947-01-18)18 January 1947 New Providence, Bahamas
Died	21 October 2023(2023-10-21) (aged 76)
Political party	Progressive 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 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.

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 and 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

References

1. "Nation's Health In Dr Gomez' Hands". Nassau Tribune, 15 May 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.