Dr. Naseem Salahuddin, an infectious disease specialist and professor emeritus at Indus Hospital, died in a tragic road accident in Morocco, her family said, in a sudden loss that shocked the medical community.
Dr Salahuddin, recently retired after a long career in the medical service, had traveled to Morocco to attend a meeting of the World Health Organization (WHO), according to family sources.
She was widely respected in medical circles for her work on rabies, tuberculosis and antimicrobial resistance, with colleagues describing her contributions as important in shaping the public health response in these areas.
Doctors and medical professionals across the country have expressed sadness and grief over his passing.
In a statement published on
The hospital said Dr. Salahuddin had been associated with the network since November 1, 2007, and described her as “a beacon of dedication, compassion and excellence in healthcare and infectious diseases.”
The document states that his lifelong work in patient care, medical education and humanitarian service has strengthened the institution’s mission of providing free, quality health care to those in need.
Dr Salahuddin has also been described as a staunch public health advocate who has played a key role in raising awareness and efforts towards a rabies-free Pakistan, with the hospital saying his “relentless work in the prevention and treatment of rabies has saved countless lives and brought national attention to an often overlooked public health challenge”.
The statement added that his wisdom, humility and dedication inspired his colleagues, students and healthcare professionals, leaving behind a legacy that will continue to guide future generations.
It says its condolences and prayers go out to her family, colleagues, students and all those with whom she worked or dealt, adding that her legacy of service and compassion will live on in the lives she touched.
She graduated from Fatima Jinnah Medical College in 1967 and later obtained certification in internal medicine in the United States in 1977.
She was also a member of the WHO Rabies Expert Advisory Group since 2004.
During her career, she contributed to medical journals and journals and authored numerous books on health and medicine.
