Tributes are pouring in for renowned scientist Professor Gita Ramjee, the chief scientific officer for the Aurum Institute, who died on Tuesday after reportedly suffering Covid-19 related complications.
The institute shared the news of Ramjee's death in a Twitter post on Tuesday night.
"Aurum is deeply saddened by the death of its Chief Scientific Officer Prof Gita Ramjee, world renowned for her tireless work to find HIV prevention solutions for women," the institute said.
"Group CEO Gavin Churchyard, described her as; "a bold and compassionate leader in the response to HIV."
Aurum is deeply saddened by the death of its Chief Scientific Officer Prof Gita Ramjee, world renowned for her tireless work to find HIV prevention solutions for women. Group CEO Gavin Churchyard, described her as; "a bold & compassionate leader in the response to HIV." pic.twitter.com/9DvcjfInlh
— The Aurum Institute (@Auruminstitute) March 31, 2020
Immediately after the news broke, members of the scientific community and local activists and personalities, shared their tributes to the remarkable researcher on Twitter.
TAC sends its deepest condolences to the family and friends of Prof Gita Ramjee, whose passing has been confirmed. She was a pioneer in the HIV response. May her soul rest in power. https://t.co/i48Td59Cip
— TAC (@TAC) March 31, 2020
%%%twitter https://twitter.com/hashtag/leadership?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#leadership, the #courage and the #bravery of one of our own today. Gita Ramjee. #scientist #researcher #advocate #women. Thoughts are with her loved ones and her colleagues @Auruminstitute #Covid_19 pic.twitter.com/0Q7CVJhbql
— TheVARG (@vaccineadvocacy)
%%%twitter https://twitter.com/hashtag/RIPProfRamjee?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RIPProfRamjee #Covid_19SA pic.twitter.com/Ulnnr6M6Ww
— Suntosh Pillay (@suntoshpillay)
Gutted. A kind person, a stellar vaccine scientist, a "towering HIV prevention research leader," someone who dedicated her life to ending the HIV pandemic, has died of Covid-19. Prof. Gita Ramjee was Chief Specialist Scientist + Director of the South African Medical Research... pic.twitter.com/SNiACexmSq
— Dr. Seema Yasmin (@DoctorYasmin) March 31, 2020
Ramjee was also the director of the South African Medical Research Council's HIV Prevention Research Unit
Ramjee, who was based in KwaZulu-Natal, was awarded the “Outstanding Female Scientist” Award by the European Development Clinical Trials Partnerships (EDCTP) in 2018.
* For the latest on the Covid-19 outbreak visit IOL's #Coronavirus trend page
** If you think you have been exposed to the Covid-19 virus, please call the government's 24-hour hotline on 0800 029 999
IOL