Rosalind Chirimuuta was born in Australia. She came to Britain in 1975 and obtained a diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, and subsequently specialized in opthalmology. She is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons and now works as a consultant opthalmic surgeon for the National Health Service.
Chirimuuta is, together with Richard Chirimuuta, the author of the book 'AIDS, Africa and Racism' (1987, 1989).