Parliament, Thursday, 02 April 2020 – The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Health, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, has learnt with shock to hear of the passing of Prof Gita Ramjee who died as a result of a Covid-19 complication.
Dr Dhlomo said the passing on of Prof Ramjee sends shock waves to the research fraternity. “The role that she played right through the many clinical trials is an amazing story in the Medical Research Council, we lower our banners for this wonderful South African who has made a serious impact not just nationally, but internationally. She is a global world researcher known all over.
“Prof Gita was a consultative researcher. She would make proposals about her research work and consult with some of the leaders in government to check if what she was working on was relevant. She was very much aware of the quadruple burden of disease in our country, hence her research was focusing strongly on HIV and tuberculosis. As a country we have lost an international researcher with impeccable qualities,” said Dr Dhlomo.
The committee expresses its deepest condolences to the family of Prof Gita, her husband and her children during this difficult time.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, DR SIBONGISENI DHLOMO.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Ms Yoliswa Landu
Parliamentary Communication Services
Tel: 021 403 8203
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E-mail: ylandu@parliament.gov.za
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