KARACHI: Rotary Club District 3271, in collaboration with the Marie Adelaide Leprosy Centre (MALC), organized a commemorative gathering at Services Mess, Karachi, to mark the 97th birth anniversary of Dr. Ruth Pfau, paying tribute to the renowned physician, humanitarian and pioneer of leprosy control in Pakistan.
The event brought together representatives from the healthcare, social development and humanitarian sectors, along with Rotary members and supporters of Dr. Pfau’s mission. Siraj Uddin Aziz, Wafaqi Banking Mohtasib; Shehnaz Wazir Ali; and SI Syed Tariq Mustafa, Advisor to the Governor of Sindh, attended as Guests of Honour.
The gathering also marked 70 years of MALC’s service to humanity, highlighting the organization’s pioneering role in leprosy control and its continued efforts to provide free healthcare and support to vulnerable and underserved communities across Pakistan.
The proceedings began with the recitation of the Holy Quran and the National Anthem, followed by a welcome address by Syed Nasim Shah.
A documentary highlighting MALC’s 70-year journey and the life and legacy of Dr. Ruth Pfau was subsequently screened. The film traced the organization’s development and highlighted Dr. Pfau’s extraordinary contribution to Pakistan’s healthcare system and leprosy control efforts.
Addressing the gathering, Siraj Uddin Aziz paid tribute to Dr. Pfau’s life and decades of service to Pakistan. He acknowledged her pioneering contribution to healthcare and leprosy control and emphasized the importance of preserving the spirit of service, compassion and humanitarian commitment that defined her work.
Dr. Ali Murtaza, Director Programmes at MALC, highlighted Dr. Pfau’s contribution to Pakistan’s healthcare landscape and stressed the need to carry forward the values of compassion, dignity and service that characterized her life and work.
Shehnaz Wazir Ali shared personal reflections on the relationship between her mother and Dr. Ruth Pfau, offering a personal perspective on Dr. Pfau’s life and the relationships she built during her years of service in Pakistan.
Mahfooz-un-Nabi Khan also spoke about Dr. Pfau’s contribution and the importance of continuing the work and values she championed throughout her life.
The formal proceedings concluded with a vote of thanks, followed by a cake-cutting ceremony marking Dr. Pfau’s 97th birthday. MALC also distributed gifts among guests and participants, after which the gathering concluded with a hi-tea.
Dr. Ruth Pfau dedicated more than five decades of her life to Pakistan and played a pioneering role in transforming the country’s response to leprosy. Her work extended beyond medical treatment, as she challenged the stigma associated with the disease and advocated for the dignity and inclusion of people affected by leprosy.
Her legacy continues through MALC, which is marking 70 years of service focused on healthcare, healing and support for communities in need. The organization remains committed to values associated with Dr. Pfau’s work, including compassionate healthcare, dignity, inclusion and service.
The birthday commemoration served as both a tribute to Dr. Pfau’s remarkable life and a reminder of the responsibility of future generations to carry forward her vision of a healthier, more compassionate and inclusive Pakistan.