Hematologist Dr Tahir Shamsi passes away in Karachi

KARACHI: Pakistan’s renowned hematologist Dr Tahir Shamsi has passed away in Karachi on Tuesday.

According to the local media reports, Dr Shamsi was admitted to the hospital last week after he suffered brain hemorrhage. He underwent surgery but his condition remained critical and was on the ventilator.

The renowned hematologist breathed his last on Tuesday, confirmed the hospital administration.

Dr Shamsi is credited with introducing bone-marrow transplant in Pakistan in 1996. So far, he performed 650 bone-marrow transplants and wrote over 100 research articles.

During the first wave of coronavirus, Dr Shamsi came up with the idea of treating COVID-19 patients using plasma of those who recovered from the virus.

In 2016, the Dow Graduates Association of North America honoured him with a lifetime achievement award in recognition of his services.

In 2011, Dr Shamsi established the National Institute for Blood Disease for the treatment of blood-related diseases. He was the director of the Stem Cell Program at NIBD as well. He was a Royal College of Pathologist fellow.