Renowned haematologist Professor Dr Tahir Shamsi passed away in Karachi on Tuesday, a week after suffering brain haemorrhage and being admitted to a hospital.
Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) Secretary General Dr Qaiser Sajjad told a news outlet that 60-year-old Shamsi died at 7:20am Tuesday after being put on a ventilator at the Aga Khan University Hospital a few days ago.
“Dr Tahir Shamsi’s death is an irreparable loss for the community. He did an excellent job of establishing a bone marrow transplant [facility] in the country,” he said.
Meanwhile, President Dr Arif Alvi expressed grief over the death of Shamsi.
Alvi prayed for the high ranks of the departed soul and expressed sympathy with the bereaved family, said a news statement from his office.
The president said Shamsi had rendered valuable services in health and medical research sectors.
Shamsi had introduced bone-marrow transplants in Pakistan in 1996, performed such 650 transplants and written over 100 research articles.
In 2011, Shamsi had established the National Institute for Blood Disease (NIBD) for the treatment of blood-related diseases. He was the director of the Stem Cell Programme at NIBD as well.
During the first wave of coronavirus, he had come up with the idea of treating Covid-19 patients using the plasma of those who recover from the viral infection.
In 2016, the Dow Graduates Association of North America had honoured him with a lifetime achievement award in recognition of his services.
