The funeral prayers for Pakistan’s renowned infectious diseases expert Dr Naseem Salahuddin, who passed away after sustaining critical injuries in a road accident in Morocco earlier this week, will be offered in Karachi today (May 27) after the Asr prayers at Masjid-e-Aisha, Khayaban-e-Ittehad, DHA.
According to the family, her burial will take place afterwards at the DHA Phase 8 Graveyard. Women mourners and condolence visitors will gather at the family house located at 44/1, Street B-6, DHA Phase 5.
The family has also announced that a collective Dua for the departed soul will be held on Thursday, May 28, between Asr and Maghrib at the same residence. Dr Naseem had travelled to Morocco to attend a World Health Organization related meeting when she met a serious road accident. She was shifted to a hospital where she underwent multiple surgeries but could not survive.
She was regarded as one of Pakistan’s most respected infectious diseases specialists and public health experts known for her decades-long services in the treatment, prevention and management of infectious and tropical diseases in the country.
Dr Naseem had recently retired from the Indus Hospital & Health Network, where she served as the head of infectious diseases. Throughout her distinguished career, she remained deeply involved in patient care, medical education, infectious disease research and public health advocacy.
Over several decades, she played a key role in strengthening infectious disease management in Pakistan and earned immense respect for treating patients suffering from HIV, hepatitis, tuberculosis, typhoid, dengue, malaria and other infectious illnesses, particularly among underprivileged communities.
Colleagues and former students described her as a compassionate physician, an outstanding teacher and a mentor who dedicated her life to serving humanity and caring for patients regardless of their financial status.
Earlier, her brother Pervez Hoodbhoy confirmed her death and said the family was devastated by the tragic loss. Tributes continued to pour in from across Pakistan on Sunday with colleagues and admirers remembering Dr Naseem for her humility, clinical excellence, commitment to medical ethics and lifelong services for patients suffering from infectious diseases.
