KARACHI: Former executive director of the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) Dr Seemin Jamali, who had an illustrious career in the field of medicine, passed away on Saturday. She was 61.

She was suffering from cancer. She leaves behind her husband, Dr A.R. Jamali and two sons — Omar and Babar.

Dr Jamali’s funeral prayers will take place at the JPMC mosque on Sunday (today) after Asr, according to the family.

Her brother Bilal Memon told Dawn that Dr Jamali was admitted to Aga Khan University Hospital around eight days back where she breathed her last.

She had remained associated with the JPMC as the head of the emergency department for a considerable period of time. Later, she became executive director of the JPMC from where she was retired around a year ago.

Bilawal terms her death a great loss for health sector; funeral to be held today at JPMC

She was daughter of former bureaucrat G.D. Memon, who was also the chairman of the Sindh Public Service Commission.

Her brother said she had studied at multiple academic institutes in Karachi and abroad including the John Hopkins University.

She was a recipient of Tamgha-i-Imtiaz. She was also made an honorary lieutenant colonel in the army.

A caring soul

Many media persons of different media houses also remember Dr Seemin Jamali as a caring and considerate soul.

Having human rights as her beat, Dawn’s senior reporter Shazia Hasan said she often found herself outside the JPMC emergency while covering any accident or mishap. “I will always remember Dr Seemin Jamali as a very caring and sensitive soul.”

“The first time I met her was when I was standing outside the JPMC emergency after a terrorist attack. It was late and Dr Jamali was leaving for home. Still seeing the media gathered there, she asked her driver to stop the car before she came out to answer our queries about the extent of injuries to the victims,” she said, adding: “I have yet to come across someone so considerate.”

Lawyer and rights activist Jibran Nasir said Dr Jamali would always be remembered for her exemplary services to Karachi. “She was a brave leader and brilliant administrator leading JPMC during one of the most dangerous and violent period in Karachi’s history, serving undeterred in the face of threats and terror attacks,” he tweeted.

Pakistan Peoples Party chairman and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said that her death was a great loss for the health sector. “Dr Seemin Jamali’s services during Covid-19 would never be forgotten,” he said.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah said Dr Jamali was a brave and determined woman.

Social worker Ramzan Chhipa tweeted that she was a “highly respected and professional woman dedicated to humanitarian service who devoted her entire life to the service of suffering humanity”.

Published in Dawn, May 28th, 2023