The global health community mourns the loss of Aryanti Radyowijati, a renowned expert in Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) in public health, particularly in the areas of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and international development. Her dedication to improving health outcomes for vulnerable populations spanned decades, leaving a lasting impact across continents.
Aryanti was born in 1969 and grew up in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
Her impressive career began with a medical degree in 1993 from Universitas Gadjah Mada in Indonesia, after which she became a medical doctor in Yogyakarta, where she was responsible for curative care and the implementation of public health programmes. At that time, she also completed several public health-related diploma courses at the Karoline Institute in Stockholm.
She also obtained a Master of Public Health from the University of Maastricht in 1996 and a Master’s in Medical Anthropology from the University of Amsterdam in 1998. This unique combination of expertise positioned her at the forefront of culturally sensitive and impactful public health interventions.
In 2009, together with her late husband Hilbrand Haak, she converted the former Consultants for Health and Development (CHD) into ResultsinHealth, a consultancy group in international public health, where she was director and senior expert from 2011 until her untimely death.
Aryanti led various evaluations of significant projects all over the world. She also coordinated supply chain and risk mitigation services for the Global Fund for AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria in collaboration with PwC in more than 50 countries. She also coordinated technical assistance for virtual interventions aimed at HIV prevention, testing and treatment. Her diligent efforts yielded invaluable insights, enhancing programme effectiveness and ensuring resources reached those most in need.
As a senior lecturer at Windesheim University of Applied Science, she shared her knowledge with future generations of public health professionals from 2008, inspiring them to embrace a holistic and equitable approach to global health challenges.
Aryanti was a member of the Netherlands Network in SRHR, and a winner of the Dutch Higher Education Award in 2021.
Her publications spanned diverse topics, including pre-exposure prophylaxis uptake in the Netherlands, knowledge translation for improved SRHR, and quality improvement in HIV prevention. She presented her research at leading conferences such as the International AIDS Conference and the Quality Action Conference.
Aryanti’s legacy extends far beyond her impressive list of achievements. She is remembered for her unwavering passion, intellectual rigour, and genuine empathy for those facing health disparities. Her collaborative spirit and dedication to mentorship fostered a global network of public health professionals who continue to share her vision of a healthier and more just world.
