Famous hematologist and Pakistan's bone marrow transplant pioneer, Dr Tahir Shamsi passed away on Tuesday in Karachi, confirmed his family.

He breathed his last in a private hospital's intensive care unit, where he was admitted five days ago after suffering from a brain hemorrhage.

In 1996 he introduced the bone marrow transplant in the country and went on to perform 650 transplants successfully, while also writing 100 research papers on the topic.

During the first wave of Covid, Shamsi suggested treating patients infected by the virus using plasma therapy.

Shamsi founded the National Institute for Blood Diseases in 2011 and remained the director of the stem cell department. Now, the institute which has bone marrow transplant facility as well has two campuses within Karachi with 140 beds facility.

He also served as a fellow at the Royal College of Pathologists.

Dow Graduates Association of North America awarded Shamsi a life time achievement award in 2016 for his remarkable services to the country.