(MENAFN- Tribal News Network) August 19, 2017
KARACHI, 19 August: Dr Ruth Katherina Martha Pfau, who devoted her life to fighting leprosy in Pakistan, has been laid to rest with full national honour after state funeral at Gora Graveyard in Karachi on Saturday. Dr Ruth Pfau, a symbol of selflessness and devotion who passed away at the age of 87 on August 10.
State funeral with full honor was given to the late Pakistan's 'Mother Teresa' at Saint Patrick's Cathedral with 22-gun salute while her body was wrapped in national flag.
Many state dignitaries, including President Mamnoon Hussain, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, Sindh Governor Muhammad Zubair, Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman and Deputy Chief of Naval Staff (Operations) Vice Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi attended her final rites and laid floral wreaths on her grave as a mark of respect.
Dr Ruth Pfau, a German-Pakistani doctor who dedicated her life to helping leprosy patients in Pakistan, was one of the founders of the Marie Adelaide Leprosy Centre (MALC).
In 1960, Dr Ruth decided to dedicate the rest of her life to the people of Pakistan and their battle against Leprosy. Patients from all over Pakistan and even Afghanistan came for their treatment in Karachi's leprosy center. In recognition of her services to the country, she was awarded Pakistani citizenship in 1988.
In 1979, she was awarded the Hilal-i-Imtiaz, the second highest civilian award of the country. In 1989, Dr Pfau was presented the Hilal-i-Pakistan for her services.
Due to Dr Pfau's persistent and selfless efforts, Pakistan was declared ‘leprosy-free' in 1996 by the World Health Organization.
MENAFN1908201701890000ID1095750693
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.