The Desmond Tutu Health Foundation is mourning the loss of several respected and beloved colleagues this week, as we heard with sadness the news of the passing of Dr. Arthi Ramkissoon, Dr. Iqbal Master and HIV advocate and long-time ally of the DTHF, Andrew Mosane.
Andrew was one of the Treatment Action Campaign’s early activists and emerged as one of its most passionate, dedicated, and brave leaders. We at the DTHF deeply mourn his loss – many of us have worked closely with Andrew for many years and had come to know and love him. Looking back at his work provides a reminder of how far we have come in ensuring healthcare for all South Africans, and also how far we still have to go in this fight.
Dr. Ramkissoon was the founder and executive director of Maternal, Adolescent, and Child Health and was also the CEO of the KZN Children’s Hospital Trust. A long-time supporter and friend of the DTHF, Dr Ramkissoon had over 20 years of experience in championing the distribution of HIV, TB, and maternal, child, and women’s health programmes to the South African public sector. She passed away on Monday after succumbing to Covid-19.
Dr. Master, who has been described as “a veritable legend in the fight against TB”, who was very involved in the StopTB partnership, led one of the country’s busiest TB clinics at King Dinizulu Hospital in KZN. He was a champion in the public sector TB program and worked tirelessly to end TB In South Africa.
Andrew, Dr. Ramkissoon, and Dr. Master were all champions in the fight for better health for all, and we will mourn them as a community of health professionals and public health advocates. We wish their families and loved ones peace and comfort at this sad time.
