Top South African HIV scientist dies from coronavirus

South African scientist Gita Ramjee, whose research helped prevent HIV transmissions in women, died on Tuesday as a result of Covid-19, the respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus. 

She had recently returned from a trip to London and was admitted with pneumonia to a hospital in Umhlanga, in Kwa-Zulu-Natal province. 

Prof Ramjee was chief scientific officer at the Aurum Institute and and formerly the chief specialist scientist and director of an HIV research unit at the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC). 

Glenda Gray, SAMRC’s president and CEO, paid tribute to her late colleague:

“She was tireless in this pursuit. Her tenacity will never be forgotten. I have tremendous respect for her contribution and her passion to find solutions for women in our country.”

Prof Gavin Churchyard, CEO of the Aurum Institute, praised her extraordinary work

“Her ground-breaking research in HIV prevention contributed to the global response to HIV and Aids.”

The news comes as South Africa begins its three-week lockdown in an effort to combat the spread of the coronavirus. There have been over 1,300 confirmed cases in the country so far. 

Photo: Facebook/Gita Ramjee