Prof Gita Ramjee- untimely snatched from the world by Covid-19 – a Tribute

Prof Gita Ramjee, editorial board member of AIDSCare, died of Covid-19 related complications on Tuesday 31st March 2020. The editors and board members of AIDSCare send sincerest sympathies to her family, friends and colleagues. Her impact on the lives of many across the world leaves an indelible mark. The Covid-19 epidemic suddenly reaches our consciousness when the death toll includes close ones. Some global leaders have joined in this tribute to her. Prof Lorraine Sherr – Editor AIDSCare.

“Gita epitomised that wonderful combination of activism, passion and scientific rigor that is seen among individuals who have positively moved the dial forward for Women's Health and HIV. Her grace and elegance belied a fierce tenacity to make a difference for women in South Africa” Professor Linda-Gail Bekker, Deputy Director of the Desmond Tutu HIV Centre and Immediate Past president of the International AIDS Society.

“We were very saddened to hear of the passing of Gita Ramjee, an outstanding individual who dedicated her life to finding solutions for millions of people living with HIV. Her positive, healing impact upon the world is vast and beyond compare. The legacy of her exceptional work will continue to save countless lives in years to come. With most sincere condolences from Annie Lennox and Mitch Besser.

“Professor Gita Ramjee pioneered HIV prevention research amongst women in South Africa and was critical to all our endeavours to find effective interventions. She dedicated most her life to finding solutions for HIV in South Africa and was a tireless campaigner to find female controlled intervention for women at risk for HIV. Her contributions made Global impact. The scientific community are reeling.” Prof Glenda Gray President & CEO South African Medical Research Council : Executive Management.

“Gita combined science and activism in her pursuit of gender-appropriate solutions to HIV infection. We in the scientific community will miss her thought leadership in HIV research.” Dr Olive Shisana, Hon Professor UCT, special advisor to South African President.

“We at the SAMRC are deeply sadden by Gita's tragic death, we have lost a world renowned scientist who was truly committed to the service to the community in the quest of HIV prevention solutions for African women. She pursued this work with a determination, tenacity and thirst for excellence which is an example for us all”. Prof Rachel Jewkes, Executive Scientist for Research Strategy in the office of the President of the SAMRC.

“COVID-19 has robbed the HIV community of a great friend, colleague and advocate for HIV prevention technologies for women. Her legacy lives on in our continued collective efforts to address both HIV and SARS-CoV2. Hamba Kahle Gita Ramjee “Professor Quarraisha Abdool Karim, Associate Scientific Director: CAPRISA Professor in Clinical Epidemiology: Columbia University. UNAIDS Special Ambassador for Adolescents and HIV, Pro Vice-Chancellor African Health: University of KwaZulu-Natal, Member: Ministerial Advisory Committee on COVID-19.

“Gita was a dedicated scientist, intent on finding ways to prevent and ameliorate the impact of the HIV epidemic on women. In addition to the research she led and the young investigators she mentored, she also put energy into forums, committees and panels that brought together scientists, practitioners, policy makers, and those affected by HIV to share their knowledge and together push harder against HIV. Gita was also a friend – to me, and to many others. We will miss her dearly.” Prof Linda Richter, Distinguished Professor, DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Human Development University of the Witwatersrand.

“Gita's energy was palpable, fuelled by a passion for science, equality and collaboration.” Prof Anton Pozniak MD FRCP President IAS Consultant Physician Chelsea and Westminster Hospital London UK, Professor (Clinical Research) LSHTM.

“I have fond memories of Professor Gita Ramjee – her passion, drive and tenacity which she believed are ‘critical traits to have for scientific excellence’. Professor Salim S. Abdool Karim, FRS Director: CAPRISA Chair: Ministerial Advisory Committee on COVID-19, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, University of KwaZulu-Natal Director: DST-NRF, Cornell University Associate: Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard University.

“Professor Ramjee was an example to scientists everywhere. She did exceptional research for the public good. That is what we should all aspire to, and what we can all learn from”. Prof Lucie Cluver, Professor of Child and Family Social Work, University of Oxford and University of Cape Town.

“Gita's unwavering commitment and focus to one of the greatest challenges of our time will be greatly missed.” Prof Chris Desmond Centre for Rural Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal.

“Tireless. Passionate. Dedicated. Gita Ramjee was a remarkable woman and an outstanding scientist, advocate and HIV prevention researcher. Deeply passionate about HIV prevention for women and girls, she was driven to make a tangible difference in and among the communities she served. In her work and life Gita brought both the best of science and the best of compassionate concern”. Kevin Osborne⁣, Executive Director, International AIDS Society.

“Of course, Gita was an extraordinary scientist, an operational guru, and a brilliant strategist but she was so much more than that; she was kind, compassionate, elegant, and occasionally mischievous - I think the sense of mischief was the thing I loved about her the most.” Prof Ian McGowan MD PhD FRCP, Chief Medical Officer, Orion Biotechnology.

“Gita's untimely passing is a great tragedy for the struggle to develop highly acceptable HIV preventive technologies for women globally, particularly in resource-constrained environments. She was a brilliant researcher, thoughtful mentor, and erudite educator. She brightened the lives of all who knew her.” Prof Kenneth Mayer M.D. Infectious Disease Attending and Director of HIV Prevention Research Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Medical Research Director The Fenway Institute.

“Gita Ramjee was a force. She brought intellect and rigor to her HIV prevention work for women and girls, but she brought passionate commitment as well. She was one of the rare members of the research community truly loved by the community—women living with HIV knew they had a champion in Gita.” Prof Chris Beyrer MD, MPHDesmond M. Tutu Professor, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Past President, International AIDS Society, 2014-2016.

“I am deeply saddened to learn of Gita's tragic passing. I have known Gita for many years and it is hard to overstate her ground-breaking scientific contributions and unwavering commitment to HIV prevention, particularly for women and girls in Africa. Gita's death is an enormous loss for our School's community and for the world – we will miss a world-renowned scientist, compassionate leader, and dear friend.” Prof Peter Piot, Director, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.

It was a pleasure to work with Gita. Her commitment to empowering women scientists and serve the local communities in South Africa was second to none. This is reflected in Gita's LinkedIn positing in early March 2020: “The HIV epidemic has disproportionately affected women. I strongly believe that my calling in life is to find methods that empower women to take control of their HIV prevention and reproductive health rights through informed choices.” Gita will be sorely missed by colleagues and patients alike. Sir Alimuddin Zumla Professor of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University College London.

Gita Ramjee, a leading microbicide researcher whose top priority was HIV prevention in women, has left a legacy of passion, scientific rigour, perseverance, and respect for research participants that will inspire young aspiring scientists in Africa and around the world. Prof Catherine Hankins, Professor of Public and Population Health, McGill University Canada.

It is with extreme sadness that I learnt of the passing of Gita Ramjee, who I met in 2000 as a Review Panel member of the Nelson Mandela HIV Household Survey. She will be sorely missed for her contribution to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in South Africa. Hamba Kahle, Rest In Peace Gita and know that your scientific legacy will live way beyond. Bridgette Prince, Director: Strategic Partnerships, Impact Centre, Human Sciences Research Council South Africa.

UNAIDS is deeply saddened by the sudden death of Dr. Gita Ramjee. Her death is an immense loss to the global HIV community and acute testament to the tragic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Ramjee was an eminent scientist who dedicated her life to HIV prevention for women and girls in Africa. Her death is a huge loss at a time when the world needs her most. UNAIDS mourns her untimely passing and will endeavour to honour her memory by continuing to support global efforts to find methods that enable women to take control of their HIV prevention and reproductive health and rights through informed choices. We send our condolences to her family, friends and colleagues in South Africa and around the world. Winnie Byanyima, UNAIDS Executive Director.