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.

"Our nation's loss will be felt globally but we can take pride at and comfort from the emergence of a giant of science and an icon of compassion and resilience from our country," Ramaphosa said.