Seychelles loses devoted nurse, educator and humanitarian, Medgee Pragassen |23 August 2021

Mrs Pragassen

It is with great sadness that the Ministry of Health has learned of the passing of nurse, former principal secretary and nurse-tutor, Medgee Anne Pragassen, born Palmyre.

Mrs Pragassen, who celebrated her 80th birthday on May 31, passed away on Monday August 16, 2021 after an 11-month illness.

She is remembered for her long and outstanding career in the health sector, which started in the mid-1960s and spanned over four decades.

Mrs Pragassen was trained and certified as a teacher in the late 1950s, following her training at the Seychelles’ Teacher Training College. Shortly after, she left Seychelles for the United Kingdom where she joined the British army in the Queen Alexandra Nursing Corp. It was there that she followed a three-year training to become a certified and registered nurse.

It was also during that time, in October 1965, that she met and married her husband, Gerard Pragassen, who was also enlisted in the British army. Soon after, the couple moved to Germany where Mr Pragassen was posted. They lived there for 18 months and thereafter moved to Hong Kong, where their first daughter, Jane was born.

Mrs Pragassen and her family returned to Seychelles in 1967, where she worked as a nurse lecturer in the then Nursing School, under the leadership of Sister William. Two years later, she was appointed head of the School of Nursing where she led a team that trained aspiring nurses, some of whom are still practicing today.

Mrs Pragassen was also a founding member of the Nurses Association of the Republic of Seychelles (Nars) established in 1976 and officially registered in July 1977.

Speaking on behalf of all nurses in Seychelles, Rosie Bistoquet, who is also a nurse and president of Nars, describes Mrs Pragassen as a great nurse professional, who discharged her responsibility diligently.

“She was strict and her assessment of each student was meticulously done without favouritism...”, says Mrs Bistoquet.

She adds that Mrs Pragassen instilled in them the value of nursing and ensured that all her students who graduated were as good as they could be in the profession.

“As a past student of the Nursing School in the late 70s, I vividly recall her saying, ‘I do not want a 50% nurse, I want a 100% nurse’. All nurses who qualified under her leadership were 100% nurses,” says Mrs Bistoquet.

Mrs Pragassen reached another milestone in her profession when in 1986, she was appointed as principal secretary for health – a post she occupied until reforms in the health sector in 1988 reclassified her post to director general. She served as director general for Community Health/Primary Health Care, until her retirement from government in 1995.

During her tenure in these high posts, she made remarkable contributions to the development of health in Seychelles, one of which was initiating the HIV/Aids programme.

Following her retirement, Mrs Pragassen remained involved with the sector and served on many boards and committees including a Health Task Force in 2013 mandated to modernise the health sector in Seychelles. She was also appointed as a member of the Board of the Health Care Agency for a three-year period, from January 1, 2014.

After leaving the health profession, Mrs Pragassen embarked on a new business venture and opened the well-known ABC Nursery located in Union Vale.

According to her daughter, Joanne Michel, her newfound passion led her to touch many more young lives. She was affectionately known as ‘Mummy mum’ by the many children that came under her care.

Her loved ones say she will be remembered not only for her professional accomplishments, but her other passions in life.

“She had other passions such as organising parties and weddings, cake making and decorating including many wedding cakes. She was creative, innovative and always gave her best in everything she did,” according to her daughter Joanne, who describes her mother as a pillar of strength.

“Mum was selfless, caring and always putting others first,” adds Joanne.

Former colleague and ex-Commissioner of Health, Dr Rubell Brewer, says her passing is a great loss for Seychelles. “We have not only lost a great professional in the health system but a true daughter of Seychelles,” says Dr Brewer.

Dr Conrad Shamlaye, former secretary of state for health and supervisor of Mrs Pragassen for a long time said this about her: “She had a great sense of doing the right thing, even if it was uncomfortable or inconvenient, and her advice was always given honestly.”

The Minister for Health, Peggy Vidot who is also a former colleague of Mrs Pragassen, says she will be remembered for her professionalism, perseverance and humanity. “The last time I spoke to her, shortly before her passing, she was still suggesting ways that our health services can be improved,” says Minister Vidot.

Mrs Pragassen is survived by her husband of 55 years, Gerard Pragassen and three daughters, three grand-children and a great grand-child as well as her siblings.

Contributed