Jack Preger, Renowned Pavement Doctor of Kolkata, Dies at 96

A Life of Humanitarian Service

Dr. Jack Preger, the British physician widely celebrated as the pavement doctor of Kolkata, has died at the age of 96. He passed away on 2026-10-31 at his home in Diss, Norfolk, following a short illness. His death marks the end of a remarkable career that saw him provide essential medical care to hundreds of thousands of impoverished people across South Asia.

Born in Manchester on 1930-07-25, Dr. Preger followed an unconventional path to medicine. After studying economics and political science at Oxford University, he served in the military and worked in marketing before managing a remote farm in Wales. It was not until the age of 35 that he began his medical studies at the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin, driven by a sudden and profound desire to serve those in need.

Career and Humanitarian Accomplishments

Dr. Preger first gained international attention for his work in Bangladesh, where he arrived in 1972 to assist refugees following the Indo-Pakistan War. He established a clinic in Dhaka but was eventually deported from the country after exposing an international child-smuggling ring. This experience solidified his commitment to advocacy and medical independence, leading him to relocate to Kolkata, India.

In Kolkata, Dr. Preger began his work by treating patients on the pavement under a flyover, often seeing hundreds of individuals in a single day. He eventually founded the charity Calcutta Rescue in 1991 to formalize his efforts, providing medical clinics, schools, and vocational training to the city's most vulnerable residents. His model of street medicine became a global standard, inspiring the creation of the International Street Medicine Symposium in 2004.

Notable Works and Recognition

The dedication shown by Dr. Preger earned him significant international acclaim throughout his later years. In 1993, he was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire for his continued perseverance and selflessness in the field of humanitarian aid. He was further honored in 2017 when he became the first living non-Asian to receive the Philanthropist of the Year award at the Asian Awards in London.

His life and work were documented in the 2016 film Docteur Jack, directed by Benoit Lange, which highlighted his daily struggles and triumphs on the streets of India. Beyond his clinical work, he remained a vocal advocate for medical ethics, famously criticizing the lack of sterile equipment in some established charitable institutions. His influence extended to the West Bank, where he traveled in his 80s to provide medical support at local clinics.

Personal Life and Legacy

Dr. Preger lived a life of extreme simplicity, often residing in modest conditions to ensure his resources were directed toward his patients. Following his retirement in 2019, he returned to the United Kingdom to live in Diss, Norfolk, alongside his ex-wife, Cathy. Even in his final years, he remained active in humanitarian circles, serving as the Chairman Emeritus of the Divine Script Society.

The legacy of Dr. Preger continues through the ongoing operations of Calcutta Rescue and the countless medical professionals he mentored. His approach to healthcare, which prioritized the dignity of the patient regardless of caste or religion, remains a cornerstone of modern street medicine. He is remembered by colleagues and patients alike as a selfless leader who transformed the lives of the destitute through his unwavering commitment to service.