Dr. Ruth Katherina Martha Pfau: The Angel of Pakistan
Early Life and Arrival in Karachi
Dr. Ruth Pfau was born on September 9, 1929, in Leipzig, Germany. She studied medicine in West Germany and later joined the Daughters of the Heart of Mary, a Catholic religious order. While traveling to India in 1960, she had a short stopover in Karachi, Pakistan. During her stay, she visited a leprosy colony near the city’s McLeod Road (now I.I. Chundrigar Road). The miserable condition of leprosy patients deeply moved her, and she decided to stay and help.
Fight Against Leprosy
Dr. Pfau joined the Marie Adelaide Leprosy Centre (MALC) and dedicated her life to treating leprosy patients across Pakistan. She:
Established leprosy treatment centers in over 150 cities across Pakistan.
Trained doctors and medical staff to deal with leprosy and tuberculosis.
Traveled to remote areas, including Balochistan and the Northern Areas, to ensure treatment reached even the most neglected communities.
Due to her relentless efforts, in 1996, Pakistan became one of the first Asian countries to control leprosy, a milestone recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Honors and Recognition
Dr. Pfau’s humanitarian work earned her numerous awards, including:
Hilal-e-Imtiaz (1979) – One of Pakistan’s highest civilian honors.
Hilal-e-Pakistan (1989) – For her service to Pakistan.
Nishan-e-Quaid-e-Azam (2010) – The highest honor given to foreign nationals.
German Staufer Medal (2015) – For her international humanitarian work.
Her Last Days and Legacy
Dr. Ruth Pfau passed away on August 10, 2017, in Karachi at the age of 87. She was given a state funeral—an honor rarely given to non-Muslims in Pakistan. Her legacy lives on through the Marie Adelaide Leprosy Centre (MALC), which continues her mission of serving patients across Pakistan.
Impact on Pakistan
Dr. Pfau is often compared to Mother Teresa due to her selfless service. Her dedication turned Pakistan from a country struggling with leprosy into a global example of disease control. Even today, her work inspires healthcare professionals and humanitarian workers worldwide.
Would you like more details on any specific aspect of her life?
by 1996, a remarkable achievement recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO). Her dedication not only improved the lives of thousands of leprosy patients but also changed the healthcare system in Pakistan, raising awareness and reducing the stigma around the disease.
Honors and Recognition
Dr. Ruth Pfau's humanitarian work earned her numerous prestigious awards, including:
Hilal-e-Imtiaz (1979) – For her exceptional service to Pakistan.
Hilal-e-Pakistan (1989) – Recognizing her contributions to healthcare.
Nishan-e-Quaid-e-Azam (2010) – The highest civil award given to foreign nationals in Pakistan.
German Staufer Medal (2015) – For her international humanitarian efforts.
Her Last Days and Legacy,
Dr. Pfau passed away on August 10, 2017, at the age of 87 in Kh
Early Life and Arrival in Karachi
Dr. Ruth Pfau was born on September 9, 1929, in Leipzig, Germany. She studied medicine in West Germany and later joined the Daughters of the Heart of Mary, a Catholic religious order. While traveling to India in 1960, she had a short stopover in Karachi, Pakistan. During her stay, she visited a leprosy colony near the city’s McLeod Road (now I.I. Chundrigar Road). The miserable condition of leprosy patients deeply moved her, and she decided to stay and help.
Fight Against Leprosy
Dr. Pfau joined the Marie Adelaide Leprosy Centre (MALC) and dedicated her life to treating leprosy patients across Pakistan. She:
Established leprosy treatment centers in over 150 cities across Pakistan.
Trained doctors and medical staff to deal with leprosy and tuberculosis.
Traveled to remote areas, including Balochistan and the Northern Areas, to ensure treatment reached even the most neglected communities.
Due to her relentless efforts, in 1996, Pakistan became one of the first Asian countries to control leprosy, a milestone recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Honors and Recognition
Dr. Pfau’s humanitarian work earned her numerous awards, including:
Hilal-e-Imtiaz (1979) – One of Pakistan’s highest civilian honors.
Hilal-e-Pakistan (1989) – For her service to Pakistan.
Nishan-e-Quaid-e-Azam (2010) – The highest honor given to foreign nationals.
German Staufer Medal (2015) – For her international humanitarian work.
Her Last Days and Legacy
Dr. Ruth Pfau passed away on August 10, 2017, in Karachi at the age of 87. She was given a state funeral—an honor rarely given to non-Muslims in Pakistan. Her legacy lives on through the Marie Adelaide Leprosy Centre (MALC), which continues her mission of serving patients across Pakistan.
Impact on Pakistan
Dr. Pfau is often compared to Mother Teresa due to her selfless service. Her dedication turned Pakistan from a country struggling with leprosy into a global example of disease control. Even today, her work inspires healthcare professionals and humanitarian workers worldwide.
Would you like more details on any specific aspect of her life?
by 1996, a remarkable achievement recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO). Her dedication not only improved the lives of thousands of leprosy patients but also changed the healthcare system in Pakistan, raising awareness and reducing the stigma around the disease.
Honors and Recognition
Dr. Ruth Pfau's humanitarian work earned her numerous prestigious awards, including:
Hilal-e-Imtiaz (1979) – For her exceptional service to Pakistan.
Hilal-e-Pakistan (1989) – Recognizing her contributions to healthcare.
Nishan-e-Quaid-e-Azam (2010) – The highest civil award given to foreign nationals in Pakistan.
German Staufer Medal (2015) – For her international humanitarian efforts.
Her Last Days and Legacy,
Dr. Pfau passed away on August 10, 2017, at the age of 87 in Kh
Category
📚
Learning