SIUT remembers Dr Ruth Pfau
Speakers laud her services that enabled lepers to live happy, meaningful lives
DESIGN: TALHA KHAN/EXPRESS
KARACHI:
By treating leprosy patients, Dr Ruth Pfau served the most vulnerable members of society.
Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT) Director Prof Dr Adibul Hasan Rizvi said this while recounting the services of Dr Pfau during a memorial meeting held at the institute Thursday afternoon.
Glowing tributes were paid to Dr Pfau for being a symbol of selflessness and her devotion to leprosy patients. According to Prof Rizvi, she devoted 50 years of her life to fighting leprosy in Pakistan and her tireless services resulted in the World Health Organisation declaring Pakistan a country where leprosy was under control in 1996.
PM announces state funeral for Dr Ruth Pfau
"In the early years of Pakistan, leprosy was considered a taboo rather than a disease and leprosy patients were ostracised. The exemplary care and affection displayed by Dr Pfau [towards lepers] added a new chapter of service to humanity," said Dr Rizvi.
The other speakers who paid tribute to the iconic German physician at the event included journalist Zubeida Mustafa, German Vice-Consul General Mervyn Lobo and Dr Mutahir Zia from the Marie Adelaide Leprosy Centre.
The speakers pointed out that by heading the National Leprosy Programme and setting up the Marie Adelaide Leprosy Centre, Dr Pfau enabled leprosy patients in the country to live meaningful and happy lives.
Pakistani lepers' messiah Dr Ruth Pfau hospitalised and her condition's worsening
The speakers also appreciated that Dr Pfau always identified herself as a Pakistani and also maintained that if she were to live another life, she would want to be born in Pakistan. People like Dr Pfau who spent their entire lives working for the cause of humanity are our real heroes, the speakers said.
By treating leprosy patients, Dr Ruth Pfau served the most vulnerable members of society.
Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT) Director Prof Dr Adibul Hasan Rizvi said this while recounting the services of Dr Pfau during a memorial meeting held at the institute Thursday afternoon.
Glowing tributes were paid to Dr Pfau for being a symbol of selflessness and her devotion to leprosy patients. According to Prof Rizvi, she devoted 50 years of her life to fighting leprosy in Pakistan and her tireless services resulted in the World Health Organisation declaring Pakistan a country where leprosy was under control in 1996.
PM announces state funeral for Dr Ruth Pfau
"In the early years of Pakistan, leprosy was considered a taboo rather than a disease and leprosy patients were ostracised. The exemplary care and affection displayed by Dr Pfau [towards lepers] added a new chapter of service to humanity," said Dr Rizvi.
The other speakers who paid tribute to the iconic German physician at the event included journalist Zubeida Mustafa, German Vice-Consul General Mervyn Lobo and Dr Mutahir Zia from the Marie Adelaide Leprosy Centre.
The speakers pointed out that by heading the National Leprosy Programme and setting up the Marie Adelaide Leprosy Centre, Dr Pfau enabled leprosy patients in the country to live meaningful and happy lives.
Pakistani lepers' messiah Dr Ruth Pfau hospitalised and her condition's worsening
The speakers also appreciated that Dr Pfau always identified herself as a Pakistani and also maintained that if she were to live another life, she would want to be born in Pakistan. People like Dr Pfau who spent their entire lives working for the cause of humanity are our real heroes, the speakers said.