KARACHI: The medical community is filled with sorrow as they mourn the loss of Dr. Seemin Jamali, the former Executive Director of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), who has sadly passed away.
Dr Seemin Jamali, former executive director of the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), was laid to rest on Sunday.
The funeral prayers was offered in a mosque inside the JPMC and attended by a large number of people from different walks of life.
Later, she was laid to rest at DHA Phase VIII graveyard. The soyem would be held on Monday (today) between Asr and Maghrib prayers for women at her JPMC residence and for men at the health facility’s mosque.
Her husband, Dr. AR Jamali, confirmed her demise, revealing that she had been undergoing treatment for a chest and lung infection at a private hospital. Despite her critical condition, she valiantly fought her illness until her untimely passing at the age of 61. She is survived by her husband and two sons, Omar and Babar.
Dr. Jamali had been battling colon cancer since November 2020 and had been receiving treatment at a private hospital since May 19, 2023, as her health continued to decline. Her condition worsened to a critical state, leading to her transfer to the ICU where she required BiPap support due to oxygen deficiency. Her courageous fight against cancer and the challenges she faced during her treatment are a testament to her strength and resilience.
Dr. Seemin Jamali had an illustrious career as the Executive Director of JPMC. She obtained her MBBS degree from Nawabshah Medical College in 1986, completed her house job at Civil Hospital Karachi in 1987, and joined Jinnah Hospital in 1988. She pursued a Masters in Primary Health Care abroad and furthered her expertise through a postdoctoral fellowship in Emergency Care in the United States. In 1995, she assumed the role of the emergency department's in-charge at JPMC and later became the Joint Executive Director in 2010. Her exceptional leadership led to her appointment as the Executive Director of JPMC in 2016.
Dr Jamali had remained associated with the JPMC as the head of the emergency department for a considerable period of time. Later, she became the executive director of the JPMC.
Dr. Jamali's outstanding services during the 2021 coronavirus pandemic earned her the title of 'global hero' from the World Health Organization (WHO). She received numerous accolades throughout her career, including the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz in 2019 for her remarkable contributions to healthcare. The Pakistan Army honored her with the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the same year. After dedicating 33 years of service to JPMC, she retired from Grade 21 on August 19, 2021.
The funeral was attended by notable figures such as Special Assistant to Chief Minister Senator Waqar Mehdi, CM's Law Adviser Barrister Murtaza Wahab, senior police and health officials, members of civil society, as well as her relatives and friends. Dr. Jamali, who was honored with the Tamgha-i-Imtiaz and held the rank of honorary lieutenant colonel, passed away on Saturday at a private health facility where she was admitted.
The funeral was attended by Special Assistant to Chief Minister Senator Waqar Mehdi, CM’s Law Adviser Barrister Murtaza Wahab, senior police and health officials, members of civil society, her relatives and friends.
The passing of Dr. Seemin Jamali is a profound loss for the medical community, and her unwavering dedication and invaluable contributions to healthcare will always be remembered.
