Top Scientist Dies Of COVID-19 Complications

Encomiums have been showered 9n a top South African scientist, Late Professor Gita Ramjee who died of Corona virus complications.

South Africa’s Deputy President, David Mabuza, in a statement said the passing of Prof Ramjee came as a huge blow to the entirety of the healthcare sector and the global fight against HIV/AIDS.

“In her, we have indeed lost a champion in the fight against the HIV epidemic, ironically at the hands of this global pandemic called COVID 19. 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.”

According to reports, South Africa has the largest number of people living with HIV in the world. The country has begun a three-week lockdown as part of efforts to stop the spread of coronavirus.

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Prof Ramjee, who died in hospital near the coastal city of Durban on Tuesday, had been working as the chief scientific officer at the Aurum Institute, a leading authority in the fight against HIV and TB.

The HIV researcher fell ill after returning to South Africa in mid-March from the UK, where she had been presenting at a symposium at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM).

She held an honorary professorship at the LSHTM, as well as at the University of Washington and the University of Cape Town.

Two years ago, she was given the Outstanding Female Scientist Award by the European Development Clinical Trials Partnerships.

Credit. BBC