‘Bold and compassionate’ HIV research scientist Gita Ramjee dies of Covid-19

Social media platforms have been flooded with messages of condolences following the untimely passing of world-renowned HIV scientist and researcher Gita Ramjee.

Ramjee, who was the chief scientific officer for the Aurum Institute, had recently returned to KwaZulu-Natal following travel to the UK. She died in hospital on Tuesday from complications related to the Covid-19 coronavirus.

The institute expressed its sadness, saying: “Professor Ramjee was a world-renowned scientist who worked tirelessly to find HIV prevention for women.”

Aurum Institute chief executive Gavin Churchyard described her as “a bold and compassionate leader in the response to HIV.”

Ramjee received international recognition for her efforts and contribution to HIV prevention among women. In 2018 she was awarded the Outstanding Female Scientist Award by the European Development Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP).

The award is conferred to world-class female scientists in sub-Saharan Africa, whose work involves research in the remit of the EDCTP2 programme, which conducts health-related clinical research to advance the development of diagnostics, drugs and vaccines against the most important infectious diseases affecting sub-Saharan Africa. These include HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, neglected tropical diseases as well as other non-communicable diseases.

Ramjee obtained her science degree at the University of Sunderland in the UK, and her masters’ and PhD through the department of paediatrics at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. She was an honorary professor at the Central University of Tamil Nadu in India, as well as at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

According to the SA Medical Research Council, Ramjee’s KwaZulu-Natal-based team hosts five of 20 HIV Vaccine Trials Network sites across the country, as a part of a global scientific journey to find an effective HIV vaccine.

Her team is also testing a “novel long-acting injectable for the prevention of HIV” in three communities across the greater Durban area.

Among others, Deputy President David Mabuza took to social media to send his condolences.

“I would like to convey my condolences on the passing of former chief specialist scientist and director of the SA Medical Research Council’s HIV prevention research unit, Prof Gita Ramjee, who succumbed to complications of #Coronavirus.”

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Mabuza said Ramjee’s passing was a “huge blow to the entirety of the healthcare sector and the global fight against HIV/Aids.

“In her honour, we should heed the call to flatten the curve by strengthening our responses to this global pandemic, as well as continue the fight to achieve zero new HIV infections.”

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