St. ANDREW'S, Grenada - Many Grenadians, both at home and abroad, are today mourning the death of Dr. Lawrence Gibbs, one of the best, most loved doctors to have practiced medicine in Grenada. He passed away yesterday (Tuesday August 18, 2009)at the age of 70. Dr. Gibbs served as the resident doctor at the Princess Alice Hospital at Mirabeau for a number of years. Many of the patients who visited that hospital and were seen by Dr. Gibbs have spoken very highly about his genuine concern for their health and well-being and the stories abound about what he would have done to save the lives of countless persons. People, to this very day, still fondly reminisce about the good old days when Dr. Gibbs was present at Princess Alice Hospital to take care of the sick. They have stated openly that those days have never been paralleled since his departure. Dr. Gibbs, during his lifetime, made a brief entry into the field of politics and was elected as the Parliamentary Representative for the Constituency of St. Andrew’s North East during the early 1990s. He ran under the banner of the Grenada United Labour Party (GULP). Although he only remained in office for one term, it was quite clear to all that his desire to get into the political realm emanated from a fervent desire to make a contribution towards the betterment of the people in his constituency and to help influence and shape national policies. For a number of years until his death, Dr. Gibbs operated his private practice in the town of Grenville and was one of the most sought after doctors in the parish. His waiting room will always be full, with many of his patients being senior citizens, who obviously had developed a complete trust in his medical expertise. One of the many good things that is currently being said about Dr. Gibbs, (and maybe that is what he will be most remembered for) is the ridiculously low fees he charged his patients for his service. At one time, he charges EC$10 for adults and EC$5 for children and recently, he increased the adult fee to Ec$20 and children EC$10. These were his standard fees at a time when most Grenadian doctors were charging $EC 40 and EC$80 for attending to patients. Many can testify about the many times he will refuse to take the money of the poor patients that he attended to. Grenada has lost the services of a great physician, a humanitarian and a friend of the poor and under-privileged, who devoted his entire life, not to the accumulation of wealth and riches, but towards a more noble and self-less pursuit of helping to heal the sick and physically infirm, saving lives, educating people and providing for them a service that was second to none. Fare well, Dr. Lawrence Gibbs…may your soul rest in peace and may you find eternal comfort in the hands of the Creator for a life well spent and a job well done!! The following are some of the tributes paid to Dr. Gibbs on one of the popular internet talk-shop: ******From Zephyr: He was undoubtedly one of the best physicians in Grenada. He attended to patients and will charge next to nothing for his services. He was motivated by a desire to make sick people well again and not by the money. Some time recently, I visited him and was charged only $10 ec while other doctors charge $40 and even $80. I received a complete analysis of my ailment, the treatment and the alternatives. He was a rare breed and you will hardly find doctors like him anymore. May his soul rest in peace. Grenada has lost a great physician! ******From RIP Dr. Gibbs: He was indeed the best!!! ******From Mustafa: I have been to Dr.Gibbs on many occasions and many can testify, he was indeed, a symbol genuine concern for patients betterment and not at all a money driven doctor as the many other doctors that are found all over this country. His care and concern for his patients was demonstrated in the patience that he exercised, and the long time he takes in attending to you. in my doctor going experiences, very few, (if at all there's any ) doctors takes the time off to explain to a patient, and most times, referring to diagrammatic illustrations, their functions and the reason(s) for the patient's ailment in relation to such diagrams. At times, he would even go as far as drawing the diagram himself. Even if he was a known heavy smoker, the nation's people undoubtedly recognized him a "god sent" in the medical fraternity who charged a mere $10 and just recently, $20 for adults and half that price for children and this is unlike the many other doctors who, like the lawyers of this country, are seen as "Rip-offs" who charge their patients very exorbitant "first attendance" fees and mercilessly continue to milk their patients for follow-up visits thereafter. Doctor G was indeed a good man and as it stands Doctor Gibbs death is what if see as the fall of the last man standing....a man whose interest in money was secondary as compared to patience wellbeing. A good man has indeed gone. May his soul RIP. ******From GBW: Mustafa no one said it as good as you. Dr Gibbs was so darn good to all and anyone who visited his office. My deceased mother did not care how long she waited until he got to his office in back street by Ms. Alley store. The best and only one true Professional Doc… May he rest in peace. ******From Grenville Girl: I agree wholeheartedly with everything said about Dr. Gibbs. He was truly an exceptional doctor and an extraordinary man. May he rest in peace. He will be greatly missed.