DR JACK PREGER, BRITISH DOCTOR WHO DEVOTED HIS LIFE TO KOLKATA'S POOR, DIES AT 96

November 3, 2026

LONDON, NOVEMBER 3: Dr Jack Preger, the British physician renowned for his decades-long humanitarian work among Kolkata's poorest and most vulnerable communities, has died in the United Kingdom at the age of 96.

Preger became widely known in Kolkata for bringing medical assistance to people living in slums and on the streets, particularly those who had little or no access to conventional healthcare. His work was driven by a commitment to treating patients regardless of their financial circumstances, social background or living conditions.

He founded Calcutta Rescue, a charitable organisation that provided free medical treatment, healthcare support and other essential services to disadvantaged communities. Through the organisation, he helped establish medical facilities and outreach programmes that reached thousands of people who were otherwise excluded from adequate healthcare.

Preger's humanitarian journey in India began in the 1970s, and his work in Kolkata gradually developed into a lifelong mission of serving the poor. Despite facing administrative challenges and personal difficulties, he continued his efforts to make healthcare accessible to people living in extreme poverty.

His passing marks the end of a remarkable chapter in Kolkata's history of humanitarian service. He leaves behind a legacy of compassion, medical service and dedication to those often overlooked by society.