Professor Jerry Coovadia, an HIV/Aids expert and a prominent figure in the struggle for liberation and human rights, has died at the age of 83.

• Professor Hoosen "Jerry" Coovadia has died at the age of 83.
  
• President Cyril Ramaphosa described him as an "outstanding scientist".
• Coovadia was also dedicated to the liberation struggle, the president said.

HIV/Aids expert and struggle icon Professor Hoosen "Jerry" Coovadia has died at the age of 83.

Coovadia was a leading paediatric immunologist and authority in the field of paediatric HIV/Aids.

President Cyril Ramaphosa described him as a "leading scientist, health policy innovator and longstanding activist".

He offered his condolences to Coovadia's wife, Dr Zubeida Hamed, his son, Professor Imraan Coovadia, and his daughter, Dr Anuschka Coovadia.

Ramaphosa added: "Coovadia was an outstanding scientist and committed anti-apartheid campaigner who dedicated himself to our liberation struggle. He also dedicated himself to the physical well-being and social inclusion of people all over the world through his enterprising mission as a scientist and architect of public health policies."

He said Coovadia's "pioneering, globally acclaimed research" into mother-to-child transmission of HIV "rendered an immeasurable legacy to humanity" and allows people living with HIV to live long and healthy lives subject to early detection and access to treatment.

The president said:

The family said they were "deeply saddened by his passing", according to IOL, and acknowledged "the universal outpouring of grief of this icon of the medical fraternity and the struggle for liberation and human rights".

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