Research council confirms SA scientist died as a result of health complications related to Covid-19

The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) confirmed in a statement that world-renowned HIV scientist and researcher Professor Gita Ramjee died in hospital as a result of health complications related to Covid-19 after she had recently returned from the United Kingdom.

Also read: South Africans mourn the loss of renowned scientist, Gita Ramjee

Ramjee led groundbreaking work in HIV prevention and was a chief specialist scientist and the director of the HIV Prevention Research Unit (HPRU).

She held Honorary Professorships at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, University of Washington in Seattle and University of Cape Town. She specialised in integrated HIV prevention and treatment research and care programmes focusing on women in KwaZulu-Natal.

“She joined the SAMRC in 1996. Under her leadership at the SAMRC, Prof Ramjee’s KwaZulu-Natal based team hosts five of 20 HIV Vaccine Trial Network sites across the country as a part of a global scientific journey to find an effective HIV vaccine. The team is also testing a novel long acting injectable for the prevention of HIV in three communities across the greater Durban area.”

“We are still in mourning. Gita was fundamental and inextricably linked to the endevours to find solutions to prevent HIV in women. She was tireless in this pursuit, her tenacity will never be forgotten,” said Prof Glenda Gray, president and CEO at SAMRC.

Ramjee was also the recipient of several national and international awards for her research including the Outstanding Female Scientist Award by the European Development Clinical Trials Partnerships (EDCTP) in Lisbon, Portugal, alongside other global academic giants. The award was in recognition of her life’s work and dedication to finding new HIV prevention methods, which are conducive to the lifestyles and circumstances of women in South Africa. She received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the International Microbicide Conference in Sydney, Australia in 2012 and the SAMRC Scientific Merit Award 2017 Gold Medal.

Professor Nana Poku, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) described Ramjee as a pioneer in the field of HIV prevention among high risk populations.

“The world has lost a bold and compassionate leader in the response to HIV. Gita Ramjee firmly believed in health as a fundamental human right. Her ground-breaking research in HIV prevention contributed to the global response to HIV and Aids. Our thoughts during this difficult time are with her family, colleagues and the many people her life and work touched,” said Prof Gavin Churchyard, group CEO of the Aurum Institute in a statement released earlier today.