KARACHI: The German diplomatic mission in the city and the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) on Thursday condoled the death of Dr Ruth Pfau, lovingly called the Mother Teresa of Pakistan, and showered eulogies on her for her lifelong quest to turn Pakistan into a leprosy-free country.

The consulate general of Germany in Karachi expressed deep sorrow on the passing away of Dr Pfau, who founded the Marie Adelaide Leprosy Centre (MALC) in Karachi and spent her entire life in serving humanity.

A statement issued by the German mission called her the mastermind behind Pakistan’s national leprosy control programme.

“As patron of the MALC, I had the honour to cooperate with Ruth in joint projects and in many board meetings. She always inspired us with her medical expertise, with her dedication to the patients and with her warm-hearted sense of humour,” said Consul General Rainer Schmiedchen.

He recalled his interactions with Dr Pfau as the most celebrated moments of his tenure in Karachi. He said he had always regarded her as the pinnacle of empathy and dedication.

He paid homage to Dr Pfau for her selfless and untiring efforts in the field of humanitarian work.

PMA’s condolence

The PMA’s central and Karachi office-bearers and senior members on Thursday met at the PMA House, Karachi, where they condoled Dr Pfau’s death and paid glowing tribute to her for spending her life caring for some of the country’s poorest and most ostracised people.

“Her demise has extremely saddened the whole nation. Dr Pfau was by birth a German, yet, she devoted her life to treat the patients of leprosy in Pakistan,” said Dr Qaiser Sajjad, secretary general of the PMA.

The meeting eulogised her selfless services with dedication and commitment for such a long time, which resulted in changing the lives of thousands of leprosy sufferers across the country.

They said her long struggle had almost eradicated the deadly disease from the country.

“It is a big loss for the country and for those who still want her loving care,” said a statement issued by the PMA.

The PMA officials prayed for the departed soul; the gathering decided that they would organise a full reference for her next week.

Chief minister visits MALC

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah visited the MALC, where he expressed his grief over Dr Pfau’s death, saying: “Our Mother Teresa left us for heavenly abode. Her services for ailing humanity, particularly those suffering from leprosy, would always be remembered in golden words in history.”

He said her death had moved him because she was a source of inspiration for him and millions of others. “Her angel-like personality was a messiah for leprosy patients in the country. She dedicated her entire life [to] fighting against leprosy in Pakistan.”

He said Dr Pfau had succeeded in her mission before her demise. “Now, we have to carry her mission forward.”

The chief minister visited the corner set up at the centre to pay her tribute. He lit a candle for her, saying: “Sindh government will name a hospital in her name as a symbol of respect to remember her always.”

Mr Shah inquired after the health of patients admitted to the MALC assuring his full support to the centre.

Mayor’s tribute

Mayor Wasim Akhtar expressed his shock over Dr Pfau’s death, saying the vacuum created by her death was not easy to fill.

He said the selfless German nun devoted almost six decades of her life fighting leprosy in Pakistan. Because of her efforts, he added, Pakistan was declared by the World Health Organisation a country which had controlled leprosy, one of the first countries in Asia to achieve this goal, in 1996.

“She will forever remain in our hearts,” said Mayor Akhtar.

Published in Dawn, August 11th, 2017