James Gita Hakim

Cardiologist and HIV researcher. Born in what is now South Sudan on May 14, 1954, he died of complications from COVID-19 Jan 25, 2021, Harare, Zimbabwe, aged 66 years. James Hakim moved to Zimbabwe 1992, intending teach do research cardiology. But arrived as the country's epidemic was beginning expand. Called bring his skills clinical crisis, made switch without hesitation. “He said this needs be done, so I'm going it”, Edward Havranek, Director Department Medicine at Denver Health a Professor University Colorado School Medicine, who worked with programme train cardiologists. oversaw development Clinical Research Centre (UZ-CRC) Harare its Director, pioneering trial site, “led several major studies that contributed substantively knowledge field”, Mary Bassett, FXB Center for Human Rights Harvard University. Even emerged leader research, developed cardiology programmes training. “Not many people can combine being an outstanding clinician, researcher, teacher, mentor”, Adeeba Kamarulzaman, President International AIDS Society (IAS). combined all those things did them well.” Sudan, pursued education there Uganda, graduating medicine Makerere Kampala 1979. He continued medical training Nairobi completed postgraduate techniques Aachen, Germany. After stint working Saudi Arabia, Zimbabwe. Initially Lecturer College Sciences (UZ-CHS), also served Consultant Physician Central Hospital Parirenyatwa Hospital, where quickly reputation “not just good colleague, but friend Agnes Mahomva, Zimbabwe's Chief Coordinator National Response Pandemic, closely Hakim. rose through ranks UZ-CHS, Senior Lecturer, Associate Professor, then Chair 2001, tapped leadership role Development AntiRetroviral Therapy (DART) Africa study, groundbreaking proved treatment could provided laboratory monitoring. For establishment UZ-CRC. “There lot work done terms getting infrastructure set up”, Andrew Reid, researcher centre. “What up became model nation. And attracted other grants had DART.” The US-based Trials Group selected UZ-CRC 2003 international site funding under agenda. established conduct investigational, interventional trials highest level”, Thomas Campbell, specialising infectious disease Aurora, USA, help support UZ-CRC's development. Beginning 2004, principal investigator HPTN 052 antiretroviral therapy prevention transmission serodiscordant couples. “DART were foundational studies”, Reid said. “They cutting edge globally research.” Mahomva adds firm finding evidence feeding it into national programmes.” same regionally globally, serving elected African representative IAS Governing Council 2016 2020, member UNAIDS scientific expert panel, board Africa. “To end life, practise young cardiologists”, Tsungai Chipato, Obstetrics Gynaecology UZ-CHS. pioneer not doing developing researchers.” spearheaded UZ-CHS's successful application three Medical Education Partnership Initiative US Government, using funds education, including cardiology, capacity institution. Colleagues Hakim, UZ-CHS when died, tirelessly sustained services despite political economic turbulence. survived by wife, Phoebe, their sons, Colin, Eric, Frank, Neil.