Germany has recognized a dedicated humanitarian worker at the Rawalpindi Leprosy Hospital with its most prestigious civilian distinction — the Order of Merit, also known as the Federal Cross of Merit — in acknowledgment of her extraordinary decades-long commitment to some of Pakistan’s most vulnerable patients.
The award was presented during a ceremony held Wednesday at the German Ambassador’s Residence in Islamabad. German Ambassador Ina Lepel conferred the honor on behalf of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who had officially approved the award on April 29.
Considered Germany’s highest civilian recognition, the Order of Merit is bestowed upon individuals who have made remarkable contributions to society through humanitarian efforts and public service.
The recipient this year is Sister Annette Dimigen, a member of the Protestant Sisterhood of the Christ Bearers, who has devoted nearly 30 years of her life to service at the Rawalpindi Leprosy Hospital — a facility also referred to as the German Leprosy Hospital.
Sister Annette first came to Pakistan in 1997 and has since been a central figure in both the administrative side of the hospital and its humanitarian outreach efforts through the Aid to Leprosy Patients (ALP) Association.
Born in Hanover in 1964, she originally pursued a career as an agricultural engineer and inspector before choosing to join the sisterhood and commit herself to volunteer work in Pakistan.
Throughout her time there, she has helped care for thousands of individuals suffering from leprosy, tuberculosis — including drug-resistant strains — and cutaneous leishmaniasis.
The German embassy praised her unwavering commitment, noting that she served “with deep dedication, guided by charity and compassion for those in need,” and called her one of Germany’s most effective humanitarian representatives in Rawalpindi.
The embassy also recognized her teamwork with hospital colleagues, including Dr. Chris Schmotzer, and the wider medical and nursing staff who have worked for years to broaden access to treatment and chip away at the social stigma that surrounds leprosy.
The Rawalpindi facility continues to serve as one of the region’s primary specialized care centers, providing treatment to hundreds of thousands of patients each year through both inpatient and outpatient programs.
The hospital was originally founded by Sister Ruth Pfau, a German-born physician and Catholic nun who gave her life to combating leprosy across Pakistan. She arrived in the country in 1960 and became a pioneering force in building a nationwide network for treating and rehabilitating leprosy patients, which eventually expanded into specialized care centers, including those connected to Rawalpindi.
Through her leadership and work alongside local medical teams, Sister Ruth Pfau helped introduce modern treatment methods, train healthcare workers, and dramatically reduce the stigma tied to the disease.
Her lifelong dedication earned her widespread recognition both within Pakistan and internationally, and she is regarded as one of the most influential figures in the country’s public health history. Pakistan honored her with some of its highest civilian awards, treating her as a national icon of humanitarian service.
She passed away on August 10, 2017, in Karachi, at the age of 87. Following her death, Pakistan honored her with a state funeral in Karachi, complete with full military honors.
