IPOH: Malaysia’s first female dermatologist, Datuk Dr Madhuri Majumder, a respected humanitarian and community leader, has died at the age of 93.
Dr Madhuri passed away on Wednesday.
Fondly known as the “Mother Teresa of Ipoh”, she was celebrated for her pioneering work in dermatology and her lifelong commitment to mental health advocacy, social welfare and community development.
Dr Madhuri played key roles in numerous professional and civic organisations, earning recognition for integrating medical service with humanitarian outreach.
Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) Perak chairman Dr Monesh Pillai said Dr Madhuri made lasting contributions to medicine and social welfare in Perak.
She became the first female chairperson of MMA Perak in 1982 and later the first female president of the Rotary Club of Greentown in 1995, remaining active in Rotary work until 2020, Dr Monesh said.
She also spearheaded mental health initiatives as president of the Perak Society for the Promotion of Mental Health since 1986, introducing rehabilitation and therapy programmes while advocating for patients’ dignity.
“She established the Majumder Scholarship Fund on her 80th birthday to help underprivileged children and also supported Covid-19 relief efforts,” he said yesterday.
Ipoh Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals president Ricky Soong paid tribute to the organisation’s founder and first president, describing her as a guiding light whose compassion and lifelong service left a profound impact on both people and animals.
He said Dr Madhuri’s passing was a great loss, adding that her wisdom, kindness and dedication would continue to be felt through the lives she touched.
Soong said Dr Madhuri devoted much of her life to animal welfare and humanitarian work, recalling how she patiently guided him during his early days as a volunteer.
“She treated everyone with humility and grace, from volunteers to the vulnerable animals under their care,” he added.
