Herbert Eldemire

Herbert Wellesley Eldemire, CD (16 October 1930 – 20 May 2010), was a Jamaican politician who served as independent Jamaica's first Minister of Health from 1962 to 1972.

The Honourable Dr.
Herbert Wellesley Eldemire
CD
Minister of Health
In office
6 August 1962 – 1 March 1972
MonarchElizabeth II
Governors GeneralSir Kenneth Blackburne
Sir Clifford Campbell
Prime MinisterAlexander Bustamante
Donald Sangster
Hugh Shearer
Succeeded byKenneth McNeill
Member of Parliament
for Saint James North Western
In office
1962–1967
Preceded byAllan G. S. Coombs
Succeeded byHoward Cooke
Member of Parliament
for Saint James Central
In office
1967–1972
Succeeded byFrancis Tulloch
Member of Parliament
for Saint James East Central
In office
1976–1980
Succeeded byWinston Spaulding
Personal details
Born(1930-10-16)16 October 1930
Montego Bay
Died20 May 2010(2010-05-20) (aged 79)
NationalityJamaican
Political partyJamaica Labour Party
Alma materRoyal College of Surgeons in Ireland

Early life and education

Eldemire was born to father Arthur Wellesley Eldemire and mother Alice Hyacinth Eldemire (née Holmes) in Montego Bay, Jamaica on 16 October 1930. He was educated at Munro College.[1]

Career

Medical career

Eldemire was trained as a medical doctor at the Royal College of Surgeons and Physicians (Ireland). He was a medical professional and ran a practice in Montego Bay for over 40 years.[1] Eldemire founded the Herbert Eldemire Hospital, a private healthcare institution, in Montego Bay.[2]

Political career

Eldemire was first elected to Parliament in 1962 from the Saint James North Western constituency, representing the Jamaica Labour Party.[3][4][5] He was Jamaica's Minister of Health from 1962 to 1972. Eldemire pioneered the development of the health system immediately after the country gained independence. One of the most significant advances during his tenure was the introduction of the National Family Planning Program.[6] He also campaigned for the development of medical infrastructure, such as the Cornwall Regional Hospital[7] and the Cornwall School of Nursing.

From 1967 to 1972 he was also Chairman of the Jamaica Labour Party. In 1976, Eldemire was elected a third time to the House of Representatives as the first Member of Parliament from the newly created Saint James East Central constituency.[5][8][9] He was a member of parliament as a member of the opposition until 1980.

Personal life and death

Eldemire was married and had four children. His daughter Denise Eldemire-Shearer was married to Hugh Shearer, who was Prime Minister from 1967 to 1972.[10] He died at his home in Reading, St, James, on 20 May 2010, at the age of 79.[11][12]

See also

References
  1. "Eldemire, Herbert Wellesley". Discover Jamaica (Jamaica Gleaner). Retrieved 23 August 2020.
  2. Christopher Thomas (25 April 2013). "The old Eldemire Hospital no longer exists". Jamaica Gleaner. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
  3. "Know Your Constituency: St James North Western". DigiJamaica (Jamaica Gleaner). Retrieved 23 August 2020.
  4. "General Election 1962 Results". Electoral Commission of Jamaica. Retrieved 23 August 2020.
  5. "Election Results (1944–2016)" (PDF). National Library of Jamaica. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
  6. "Ministry Paper No 45 - Family Planning (1969)" (PDF). National Library of Jamaica. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
  7. Noel Thompson (4 June 2010). "Eldemire lauded as a 'great man'". Jamaica Gleaner. Retrieved 23 August 2020.
  8. "Know Your Constituency: St James East Central". DigiJamaica (Jamaica Gleaner). Retrieved 23 August 2020.
  9. "General Election 1976 Results". Electoral Commission of Jamaica. Retrieved 23 August 2020.
  10. "Hugh Shearer Weds" (PDF). National Library of Jamaica. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
  11. "Herbert Eldemire dies at age 79". Jamaica Gleaner. 21 May 2010. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
  12. "Official funeral Service for Dr. Herbert Eldemire May 28". Jamaica Information Service. 28 May 2010. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
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