Ozva AdminA much-loved doctor who was the longest-serving doctor in Gwent tragically died a week after retiring.
Dr. Mehboob Ali’s family described their relative as a “mild and gentle person who would always go the extra mile for everyone.”
In some cases, Dr Ali, who was born in Pakistan, had treated five generations of the same family and had worked as a GP at Pengham Health Center Fleur-de-lis near Blackwood for 48 years.
Dr. Ali on his last day at his office. Image: Naser Ali
Tragically, Dr. Ali died a week into his retirement at age 78 on Monday December 5 after contracting covid.
Dr Ali’s son, Naser Ali, said: “He served for over 50 years in the NHS, he was well known in the community and well liked.
“I had treated five generations of the same family, which is a very rare thing.
“He was the kind of doctor who was dedicated, committed and passionate about what he did.
Dr. Ali’s last day at the Pengam Health Center. Image: Naser Ali
“He would go the extra mile, he would do that for everyone and he was a gentle, modest, well-mannered person and you immediately endeared yourself to him.
“He was very tough and, along with his kindness, he was tailor-made for this job.”
Inspired by his father, Naseer has followed in his father’s footsteps by also becoming a doctor.
Dr. Ali retired on November 28th and was meant to have a retirement party the next day, however he was not feeling well and unfortunately he tested positive for covid.
On the night of Sunday, December 4, Dr. Ali was taken to the hospital and died the next morning.
On retirement, Dr Ali received a letter from the Aneurin Bevan Board of Health thanking the GP for his long service.
Letter from the Aneurin Bevan Board of Health. Image: Naser Ali
Naser said: “His loss has been felt immensely, he received a letter from the Aneurin Bevan Board of Health, they thanked him for his efforts after he retired and said he was the longest-serving GP in the area and historically.
“He treated his patients with immense care and respect.
“His patients have visited us after he passed, which is a testament to who he was.
“He told me that it gave him immense satisfaction to make diagnoses and take patients for diagnosis, investigation, management and cure.
“There were many patients who wrote to him that he saved his life or that of a family member thanks to an early diagnosis.
“He was the head of our family, a role model and a great man, but most importantly he was our friend.”
Dr. Ali also served in the Pakistani Army as a medic before coming to Britain in the 1970s. before coming to Britain in the 1970s.
Dr. Ali served in the Pakistani Army as a medic. Image: Naser Ali
Naser said: “He did a lot of charitable things: he took care of patients who couldn’t afford to buy shoes for their children and he calmly gave them some money for it.
“He was very charitable to his extended family in Pakistan and to our family and he wouldn’t want any credit for it.
“He encouraged us to help with charitable efforts, especially since he came from a poor background.
“We have created a gofundme page on his behalf, this is to help provide water to the poor, which is an extremely important part of our faith.”
Dr. Ali is in good health at a recent wedding. Image: Naser Ali
The gofundme page aims to raise funds for a water well and provide medical equipment for hospitals in South Africa and educate underprivileged children in Pakistan.
You can visit the gofundme page here.
Ozva Admin
