Honouring the saviour: Dr. Ruth Pfau's quarters turned into museum

Dunya News

Her private quarters housed in the Mary Adelaide Leprosy Centre (MALC) in Karachi has been turned into Dr. Ruth Pfau Museum. Photo: Reuters

(Dunya News) – The private residence of Dr. Ruth Pfau who had dedicated her life to fighting leprosy in Pakistan has now been turned into a museum showcasing her personal possessions.

The step was taken to recognise the efforts made by Dr. Pfau to eliminate leprosy in the country. Her private quarters housed in the Mary Adelaide Leprosy Centre (MALC) in Karachi has been turned into Dr. Ruth Pfau Museum.


Her private quarters housed in the Mary Adelaide Leprosy Centre (MALC) in Karachi has been turned into Dr. Ruth Pfau Museum. Photo: Dunya News


The German-Pakistani doctor who passed away last year in Karachi at the age of 87 was given a state funeral. Following her death efforts have been made to preserve her belongings. Mohamad Iqbal, who has been collecting Dr. Pfau’s personal articles for the museum says the process took well over a month. “There were many articles that were present in various departments…so to collect those and bring them together at one place took some time,” said Iqbal.


Following her death efforts have been made to preserve her belongings. Photo: Dunya News


“Following her death, we thought about converting her private quarters into a museum” said CEO MALC, Mervyn Lobo. “Whatever items that reminded us of her, including her possessions, are showcased here for everyone to see,” he said.

A guest book has also been placed at the museum for visitors to share their memories and comments.


A visitor writing comments in the guest book at the museum. Photo: Dunya News


Patients being treated at the MALC also visited Dr. Pfau’s home that has now been converted into a museum to honour the woman they had come to know as their saviour.

For more on this, watch a report by Dunya News below.