The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande joins the medical, scientific, and political fraternities in paying homage to Professor Hoosen ‘Jerry’ Coovadia who passed away earlier this morning in Durban.
Prof. Coovadia was a leading scientist and educationist who worked in the forefront of the campaign to make anti-retroviral therapies available to HIV/AIDS patients in the 1990’s and beyond.
His ground-breaking research programme in mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS and promotion of new treatment regimens helped to save millions of lives.
Prof Coovadia was a global campaigner for pro-poor health access policies and co-chaired the International AIDS Conference held in Durban in 2009 which set a new direction for HIV/AIDS management in South Africa.
“I personally acknowledge his courageous role in the struggle against apartheid, notably, in the Natal Indian Congress, United Democratic Front (UDF) and National Medical and Dental Association (NAMDA). I also recognise his role as a Commissioner to the first National Planning Commission (NPC) of South Africa and mentorship of many generations of health scientists and activists in South Africa and beyond, said Minister Nzimande.
Minister Nzimande extends his heartfelt condolences to the Coovadia family in particular his wife, Zubeida Hamed, to his daughter Anushka, his son Imraan. The Minister also extend his condolences to his comrades and colleagues in the medical community.
Enquiries:
Ishmael Mnisi
Cell: 066 037 8859
