Islamabad, 11 August 2022 (TDI): The Government of Pakistan remembered and paid tribute to Dr. Ruth Pfau, on her 5th death anniversary, for her efforts and for dedicating her life to making Pakistan leprosy free.
Pakistan pays rich tribute to Dr. Ruth Pfau on her death anniversary, for her tireless struggle to make the country leprosy free. pic.twitter.com/4GB5RBobom
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) August 10, 2022
Ruth Pfau
Dr Ruth Katherina Martha Pfau was a German-Pakistani Catholic sister and a physician. She moved to Pakistan from Germany in 1961. Moreover, she joined the Marie Adelaide Leprosy Center (MALC) in Karachi.
In 1968, Dr Ruth, in collaboration with the Pakistani Government and MALC, initiated National Leprosy Control Program. The program set up clinics all over Pakistan that treated thousands of Pakistani people infected with Leprosy.
In 1996, due to her tireless dedication, Pakistan was declared Leprosy free by the World Health Organization (WHO). Today, MALC has more than 150 leprosy control centres operating in the country.
Moreover, Marie Adelaide Leprosy Center and its satellite clinics also treated the victims of the 2005 Kashmir Earthquake and the floods in 2010.
Furthermore, Dr Ruth Pfau was awarded the Hilal-e-Pakistan, Sitara-e-Quaid-e-Azam, Nishan-e-Quaid-e-Azam, and Hilal-e-Imtiaz, for her services in Pakistan. She was also regarded as “Mother Teresa of Pakistan” for dedicating her life to humanity.
Dr Ruth devoted 55 years of her life to Pakistan and passed away on August 10, 2017, at the age of 87.
Additionally, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif, also paid tribute to Dr Ruth. “Dr Ruth Pfau made Pakistan her home & served the people with heart and soul. Role models like her reinforce our faith in humanity”, Shehbaz Sharif added.
Appreciation from Pakistan Embassy in Germany
Moreover, Pakistan Embassy in Germany said that Dr Ruth’s selfless dedication made Pakistan the first leprosy-free country in Asia in 1996.
“Better to lit a candle than to curse the dark” : #RuthPfau
Respect and gratitude for Dr. Ruth Pfau on her 5th death anniversary. Her selfless dedication made #Pakistan the first leprosy-free country of Asia in 1996. @DrMFaisal @epwing_official @GermanyinPAK @ForeignOfficePk pic.twitter.com/dfRkcLxM6u— Pakistan Embassy Germany (@PakinGermany_) August 10, 2022
Further, the Pakistani Embassy acknowledged two German doctors named Professor Michael Jansen (late) and Christine Schmutzer for their selfless services and presented them ‘Ruth Pfau‘ Medals.
Commemorating the legacy of Dr Ruth Pfau & acknowledging selfless services of 2 great 🇩🇪friends,we r pleased to present RuthPfau🏅 to Prof Michael Jansen(late) & Dr.Christine Schmutzer@DrMFaisal @ForeignOfficePk @AuswaertigesAmt @GermanyinPAK @epwing_official #75thPayKuchKhaas pic.twitter.com/PZRBxSfChH
— Pakistan Embassy Germany (@PakinGermany_) August 10, 2022
Additionally, the German Embassy in Pakistan also remembered Dr Ruth as a remarkable symbol of Pakistan-German friendship.
On her 5th death anniversary today, we pay tribute to 🇩🇪 doctor & nun #RuthPfau, who devoted her life to fighting & successfully controlling #leprosy in 🇵🇰. She is a remarkable symbol of 🇩🇪-🇵🇰 friendship & will forever remain in our hearts❤️ as a role model of true philanthropy! pic.twitter.com/UcXTD5mjMO
— German Embassy Islamabad (@GermanyinPAK) August 10, 2022
Senior year student of International Relations at Kinnaird College.
