Sister Ruth Pfau

 Sister Ruth Pfau (1929-2017) was a German-Pakistani Catholic nun and physician who dedicated her life to serving leprosy patients in Pakistan. Here's a detailed description of her life:

 

Early Life:

- Born on December 9, 1929, in Leipzig, Germany
- Grew up in a Lutheran family
- Studied medicine at the University of Mainz

Conversion to Catholicism:

- Converted to Catholicism in 1951
- Joined the Daughters of the Heart of Mary order in 1953

 

Service in Pakistan:

- Arrived in Karachi, Pakistan, in 1961
- Worked at the St. Elizabeth's Hospital
- Founded the Marie Adelaide Leprosy Centre in 1963
- Dedicated her life to treating leprosy patients, despite facing many challenges

Achievements:

- Treated over 50,000 leprosy patients
- Established 157 leprosy centers across Pakistan
- Trained numerous healthcare workers
- Advocated for leprosy awareness and education

Awards and Recognition:

- Received the Sitara-e-Quaid-e-Azam (Star of Great Leader) in 1979
- Awarded the Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Crescent of Excellence) in 1989
- Honored with the Marion Doenhoff Prize in 2002
- Received the German Federal Cross of Merit in 2003

Personal Life:

 

- Spoke fluent Urdu and Sindhi
- Respected and loved by Pakistanis and international communities
- Lived a simple and humble life, dedicating herself to serving others

Legacy:

- Remembered as the "Mother of Leprosy Patients" in Pakistan
- Inspired countless individuals to serve humanity
- Her work continues through the Marie Adelaide Leprosy Centre and other organizations

Sister Ruth Pfau's selfless dedication and tireless efforts to serve leprosy patients in Pakistan have left a lasting impact on the country and the world. Her legacy continues to inspire others to follow in her footsteps and serve humanity with compassion and love.