Dr Ruth Pfau is remembered in Pakistan as one of the most selfless humanitarian figures in the country’s history. She was a German born physician and Catholic nun who devoted more than five decades of her life to Pakistan, especially in the fight against leprosy.
She was born on 9 September 1929 in Leipzig, Germany. After completing her medical studies, she became interested in serving humanity in underdeveloped and neglected areas of the world. In 1960, she first came to Pakistan and was deeply moved by the suffering she saw here. At that time, leprosy was a widespread and highly stigmatized disease, and many patients were forced to live isolated lives without proper treatment or support.
Instead of returning back, she decided to stay in Pakistan permanently. She joined the Marie Adelaide Leprosy Centre (MALC) and started working with limited resources but strong determination. She personally traveled across the country, including remote villages in Sindh, Balochistan, Punjab, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, to identify patients who were hidden due to fear and social stigma.
Her approach was not just medical treatment but also awareness. She worked hard to remove the fear and discrimination associated with leprosy. She trained local doctors, nurses, and volunteers so that treatment could be available across Pakistan. Over time, her efforts helped Pakistan build one of the most successful leprosy control programmes in the region.
Because of her dedication, Pakistan was able to bring leprosy under control and significantly reduce new cases. Later in her life, she also focused on tuberculosis treatment and broader healthcare for poor and marginalized communities.
Pakistan officially recognised her services at the highest level. She was awarded Hilal-e-Imtiaz and Hilal-e-Pakistan, two of the country’s top civilian honours. In 2017, after her death, she was also given a state funeral in Karachi, a rare honour that showed how deeply she was respected and loved in the country.
Despite being foreign born, she fully considered Pakistan her home. She once said that Pakistan gave her purpose in life. She lived very simply and spent most of her time working rather than seeking recognition.
Dr Ruth Pfau passed away on 10 August 2017 in Karachi at the age of 87.
Today, she is still remembered with deep respect as “The Mother of Leprosy Patients in Pakistan”. Her life stands as a powerful example that true service to humanity goes beyond nationality, religion, and borders.
