Gita Ramjee facts for kids

Gita Ramjee was an amazing scientist from Uganda and South Africa. She spent her life researching ways to prevent HIV. HIV is a virus that can weaken the body's immune system.

In 2018, she won a special award called 'Outstanding Female Scientist' for her brilliant work. Sadly, she passed away in South Africa in 2020 due to problems from COVID-19.

Early Life and Learning

Gita Parekh was born on April 8, 1956, in Uganda. When she was a teenager, her family had to leave Uganda. This happened because of a leader named Idi Amin in the 1970s.

She went to high school in India. Later, she studied at the University of Sunderland in England. In 1980, she earned a degree in Chemistry and Physiology. She then married Pravin Ramjee and moved to Durban, South Africa.

In Durban, she started working at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. She worked in the department that studies children's health. After her two sons were born, she continued her studies. She earned her Master's degree and then her PhD in 1994.

Her Important Career

After finishing her PhD, Gita Ramjee joined the South African Medical Research Council. This is a big organization that does health research. She quickly became a leader there. She ended up heading the HIV Prevention Research Unit.

She helped this unit grow a lot. It went from 22 scientists to 350 people. She also made it famous around the world for its research.

At the time of her death, Gita Ramjee was a top scientist. She worked at the Aurum Institute, which is a group that researches AIDS and Tuberculosis. She was also still a director at the South African Medical Research Council.

In 2012, she received a special Lifetime Achievement Award. This award was for her work at an international conference on microbicides. She was also a visiting professor at several universities. These included the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.

Her Research and Discoveries

Gita Ramjee focused on preventing and treating HIV. She led many important studies in the Durban area. These studies tested new ways to stop HIV.

She believed that research should not just be about tests. She felt it was important to also teach people about HIV prevention. She also thought that people needed good care.

She once said that women in her region were most affected by HIV. She believed there was still much to do to help people in developing countries. She wanted a complete approach to HIV prevention. This included health care for women.

Gita Ramjee was one of the first scientists in South Africa to work on microbicides. Microbicides are substances that can help prevent HIV. They can be used by women to protect themselves.

In 2017, she received a gold medal for her scientific achievements. She also wrote over 170 articles for scientific journals. She helped review and edit many of these journals.

Her Legacy

Gita Ramjee was in London to give a talk in March 2020. The talk was about HIV challenges for children and women. When she returned to South Africa, she became unwell. She was hospitalized and sadly passed away from complications related to COVID-19.

Many people shared their sadness and praised her work. David Mabuza, the deputy president of South Africa, called her a "champion" against HIV. He said her death was a "huge blow" to healthcare around the world.

Salim Abdool Karim, another scientist, praised her work for women. He said she was involved in almost every major study on microbicides. He added that she helped create new ways to protect women.

Glenda Gray, who leads the South African Medical Research Centre, also honored her. She said Gita Ramjee worked to help women in many ways. This included looking at biological and social factors.

Today, the Aurum Institute gives out the Gita Ramjee Prize. This award honors her memory. It is given to female scientists who work on HIV prevention.

See also

In Spanish: Gita Ramjee para niños