His Excellency Dr. Mathew Antonio Patrick Herminie was born on 22nd September 1963 at Baie Ste Anne on Praslin, Seychelles’ second largest island. A Seychellois by nationality and a devoted Roman Catholic, Dr. Herminie is fluent in English, French, Creole, and Czech. He has been married to Mrs. Veronique Herminie (née Sinon) since 24th December 1991, and together they have two children, Venessa (born in 1991) and Martin (born in 1993). In recognition of his contributions to public service and international cooperation, Dr. Herminie was honoured with the Czech Gratias Agit Award in 2014. He is also an active advocate for the AIDS and Rights Alliance for Southern Africa (ARASA), particularly on issues related to public health and social justice.
Early Life and Education
Dr. Patrick Herminie was born on 22nd September 1963 at the Baie Ste Anne Hospital on Praslin, Seychelles’ second largest island. He is the fourth of six children born to Mr. Louis Herminie, a dedicated police officer, and Mrs. Christa Herminie (née Jules), a devoted homemaker and former seamstress.
Shortly after his birth, the family relocated from Praslin to Mahé when Mr. Herminie was reassigned for work. Growing up in a modest, close-knit household, young Patrick learned the values of discipline, humility, and service to others—principles that would later define both his professional and political life.
Dr. Herminie pursued his early education at Seychelles College, then one of the country’s leading academic institutions. A diligent student and gifted sportsman, he excelled both in his studies and on the football field, captaining the Seychelles College football team in several inter-school tournaments.Upon completing his O-Levels and A-Levels, he pursued higher education at Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic, where he obtained his Doctorate in General Medicine in 1990.
Medical and Public Health Career
Returning home in 1990, Dr. Herminie began his medical career as Medical Officer at Victoria Hospital. Two years later, he was promoted to Senior Medical Officer, and in 1995, appointed Director of the Environmental Health Section at the Ministry of Health. That same year, he was awarded the prestigious Chevening Scholarship and subsequently completed a Master’s Degree in Public Health at the Nuffield Institute, University of Leeds, United Kingdom.
Throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, Dr. Herminie held several key leadership roles within the Ministry of Health, including:Director General for Disease Prevention and Control (1996–2003), Director General for Primary Health Care (1998), Director General for Disease Prevention and Control (2000–2003).
To further strengthen his expertise, he completed additional professional training, including:Training of Trainers in Epidemic Control – World Health Organization (Addis Ababa, 1997) and Certificate in Aviation Medicine – King’s College London (1998).
From 2016 to 2020, Dr. Herminie served as Secretary of State for the Prevention of Drug Abuse and Rehabilitation, spearheading national strategies for substance abuse prevention and rehabilitation services.
Political Career
Dr. Patrick Herminie’s political journey began in 1992 when he was appointed as a Member of the Commission drafting the Constitution of the Third Republic. In 1993, he was elected Member of the National Assembly for the English River Constituency, a seat he would hold through several subsequent elections.
Between 1998 and 2007, he served as Leader of Government Business (Majority Leader) in the National Assembly. During this time, he was also a Member of the Central Committee of the Seychelles People’s Progressive Front (SPPF) from 1998 to 2010, later known as Parti Lepep and United Seychelles.
He was elected Speaker of the 4th National Assembly in 2007, a position he held until 2011, and subsequently re-elected as Speaker of the 5th National Assembly from 2011 to 2016.
From 2015 to 2020, Dr. Herminie was a National Executive Committee Member of Parti Lepep/United Seychelles. In 2021, he was elected President of the United Seychelles Party, a role that marked a new phase of leadership and political renewal.
Chairmanship and Regional Leadership
Dr. Herminie’s parliamentary and diplomatic leadership extended beyond national boundaries. In 2012, he was elected Chairperson of the Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) – Africa Region, serving until 2013.
Between 2015 and 2016, he served as both Member of the Executive Committee of the SADC Parliamentary Forum and Chairperson of the CSPOC (International). His tenure was marked by efforts to elevate the Seychelles National Assembly to international standards and to strengthen the competence and efficiency of its secretariat.
In 2017, he was appointed Chairperson of the Agency for the Prevention of Drug Abuse and Rehabilitation (APDAR), a role he held until 2020. Under his leadership, APDAR became a driving force in Seychelles’ national response to drug abuse and rehabilitation initiatives.
Personal Life and Values
Beyond his distinguished career in medicine and politics, Dr. Herminie is a devoted husband and father. He and his wife Veronique, married since 1991, share two children, Venessa and Martin. A man of deep faith, humility, and compassion, Dr. Herminie continues to embody the principles of service, integrity, and dedication to the people of Seychelles.
Dr. Patrick Herminie was sworn into office, as the President of the Republic of Seychelles on 26th October 2025 during a public ceremony held at Stad Linite.
“Leadership, for me, is not about power—it is about service, empathy, and ensuring that every Seychellois can live with dignity and hope.”
— Dr. Patrick Herminie
President of the Republic of Seychelles