Pakistan’s ‘Mother Teresa’, Dr Ruth Pfau, who led a battle against the stigmatised disease of leprosy, passed away early Thursday morning after a long illness. She was 87.
According to Dawn, Dr Ruth had been undergoing treatment at the Marie Adelaide Leprosy Centre for two weeks and passed away during surgery at 12:30am on Wednesday night, said the centre.
The late Dr Ruth had come to Pakistan from Germany in 1960, and was granted Pakistani citizenship in 1988. In 1979, she was awarded the Hilal-i-Imtiaz, the second highest civilian award of the country. In 1989, Dr Ruth was presented the Hilal-i-Pakistan.
The funeral mass will be held on Saturday, August 19, at 11am at St Patrick’s Cathedral, and thereafter will be laid to rest in the Christian Cemetery (Gora Qabristan).
Following the news, condolence poured in for the late humanitarian of Pakistan.
Saddened to learn of Dr Ruth Pfau's passing. Her spirit of selfless dedication leaves a void that will be difficult to fill.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) August 10, 2017
She came to Pakistan 56 years ago and spent her life looking after the diseased and dispossessed. We owe u a debt of gratitude Dr Ruth Pfau🙏
— SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) August 10, 2017
Dr. Pfau is no more.. may her soul rest in peace. Sad. Wha a great woman. She deserves a hero's funeral as big as Edhi Sahab.
— Shehzad Roy (@ShehzadRoy) August 10, 2017