Ruth Katherina Martha Pfau, FCM (9 September 1929 – 10 August 2017), a German–Pakistani Catholic Christian religious sister and physician affiliated with the “Society of the Daughters of the Heart of Mary,” immigrated from Germany in 1961. Devoting more than 55 years of her life to combating leprosy in Pakistan, Pfau received various honors, including the Hilal-i-Pakistan, Hilal-i-Imtiaz, Nishan-i-Quaid-i-Azam, and the Sitara-i-Quaid-i-Azam awards.
Pfau played a pivotal role in establishing 157 leprosy clinics across Pakistan, providing treatment for over 56,780 individuals. Karachi is home to the Fazaia Ruth Pfau Medical College and Dr. Ruth Pfau Hospital, both named in her honor. She passed away in August 2017 and was laid to rest with full state honors.
Early Life and Spiritual Transformation
Born in Leipzig, Germany, on 9 September 1929, to Lutheran parents, Ruth Pfau faced wartime hardships. Post-war, inspired by a Dutch Christian survivor, she chose a medical career.
In the 1950s at the University of Mainz, a transformative encounter redirected her focus from romance to philosophy. After clinical studies in Marburg, Pfau converted from Evangelical Protestantism to Roman Catholicism in 1953.
This period marked her discovery of the “courage of being human” through inspiration from Saint Thomas Aquinas and Josef Pieper. Pfau’s spiritual journey was shaped by her involvement in a Catholic parish and influenced by Romano Guardini’s “The Lord.”
Religious Calling and Humanitarian Mission
In 1957, Pfau joined the Daughters of the Heart of Mary, a Catholic order, after traveling to Paris. Reflecting on her calling, she stated, “When you receive such a calling, you cannot turn it down, for it is not you who has made the choice… God has chosen you for himself.” Initially destined for southern India, a visa issue in 1960 redirected her to Karachi.
From there, Pfau extensively traversed Pakistan and crossed into Afghanistan, dedicated to rescuing patients abandoned by their families or confined in small rooms for a lifetime.
Dedication to Leprosy Care in Karachi (1960-1963)
In 1960, at the age of 31, Pfau committed her life to aiding Pakistan in its battle against leprosy outbreaks. During a visit to the Lepers’ Colony behind McLeod Road in Karachi, she spontaneously decided to make the care of leprosy patients her life’s mission. Pfau initiated medical treatment for these patients in a humble hut, leading to the establishment of the Marie Adelaide Leprosy Centre in this area. Founded by Dr. I. K. Gill, the center later expanded its services to include tuberculosis and blindness prevention programs. In April 1963, a dedicated leprosy clinic was acquired, attracting patients from Karachi, other parts of Pakistan, and even Afghanistan for treatment.
Advocacy and Recognition: 1979-1999
In 1979, Pfau became the Federal Advisor on Leprosy to Pakistan’s Ministry of Health. She extended her reach to underserved areas, securing donations and collaborating with hospitals. Awarded Pakistani citizenship in 1988, Pfau’s efforts contributed to Pakistan being recognized by the World Health Organization in 1996 for controlling leprosy. The national leprosy cases dropped significantly from 19,398 in the early 1980s to 531 in 2016. Celebrating her 70th birthday in 1999, a Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, led by the Archbishop of Karachi, acknowledged her impact, uniting Christians and Muslims.
The Passing of a Humanitarian Icon: August 10, 2017
In the early hours of August 10, 2017, around 4:00 a.m. PST, Dr. Pfau passed away at Karachi’s Aga Khan University Hospital. Admitted on August 4 for respiratory problems, her condition worsened on August 6, prompting ventilation. Despite the availability of life support, she declined, and it was removed the following day, in accordance with her wish for a “natural life.” Dr. Pfau, coping with health issues associated with advanced age, including kidney and heart disease, had been undergoing treatment for several years.
Condolences from Pakistani Leadership
President Mamnoon Hussain expressed gratitude for Dr. Pfau’s contributions, stating, “Dr. Pfau’s services to end leprosy in Pakistan cannot be forgotten. She left her homeland to make Pakistan her home, serving humanity. The Pakistani nation salutes her, and her tradition of serving humanity will continue.”
Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi acknowledged Dr. Pfau’s deep connection to Pakistan, emphasizing her dedication to improving lives. He announced a state funeral, recognizing her courage, loyalty, and invaluable service in eradicating leprosy.
Final Farewell to a Humanitarian Icon: September 19, 2017
On September 19, 2017, Dr. Pfau’s body lay in state at Karachi’s Holy Family Hospital before her funeral. The state funeral took place at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, where flags of Pakistan and Vatican City flew at half-mast. Archbishop Joseph Coutts presided over the Requiem, with the Pakistani flag draped over her coffin and a 19-gun salute offered by contingents from all three wings of the Pakistan Armed Forces. The ceremony, a historic moment, was broadcast live on Pakistan Television. Dr. Pfau, the first Christian and non-Muslim, received a state funeral in Pakistan and was laid to rest at Gora Qabaristan, a Christian cemetery in Karachi.
Interfaith Respect and Legacy
Dr. Pfau garnered immense respect from the Muslim community in Pakistan, constituting the majority of patients at the Marie Adelaide Leprosy Centre. According to Saleem Maseh Amir, she never explicitly discussed religion, but her actions spoke volumes, serving as demonstrations of a spirit that inspired inter-religious dialogue through her faith, service, and love.
In 2018, Dr. Pfau’s private residence in Karachi was transformed into a museum, offering a glimpse into her life and showcasing some of her personal possessions.
Legacy and Recognition: Dr. Ruth Pfau's Impact
Dr. Ruth Pfau’s enduring legacy is celebrated globally, marked by numerous accolades. Awarded the Hilal-i-Pakistan in 1989, she was recognized by Presidents Ghulam Ishaq Khan and Rafiq Tarar for her work with leprosy and tuberculosis patients. Honored as the ‘Woman of the Year 2006,’ Pfau received the Nishan-i-Quaid-i-Azam in 2010 from President Asif Ali Zardari for her public service. Acclaimed as Pakistan’s “Mother Teresa” after her selfless efforts during the 2010 floods, Pfau was awarded the Staufer Medal in 2015. The renaming of Civil Hospital Karachi to Dr. Ruth Pfau Hospital in 2017 and a Google Doodle tribute in 2019 further underscore her impact. The Fazaia Ruth Pfau Medical College, inaugurated in 2020, exemplifies her lasting influence, symbolizing a commitment to medical education by the Pakistan Air Force.