A Tribute to Dr Ruth Pfau

Abstract

The death of Dr Ruth Pfau [9.8.2017] has deprived Pakistan of a most devoted and dedicated medical practitioner who devoted her life to the eradication of the dread disease of leprosy that is the scourge of underdeveloped countries. She had been an indefatigable worker in her battle against leprosy ever since she arrived in Pakistan in 1960, when the country was in a state of backwardness especially in the field of medicine. There were lepers in plenty and leprosy was rife but there was no programme directed towards its elimination backed up with ample funds, a team of capable doctors and paramedics, or drugs manufactured or imported to combat its lethal effects. Seeing the backwardness of the country in its approach to this terrible disease, Dr Pfau decided to devote her life to the struggle against leprosy in Pakistan.