Memorial held for Gwent’s longest-serving GP who was a ‘pillar of the community’

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A memorial commemorating the work of a doctor who served in the NHS for more than 50 years has been held at his former surgery.

The late Dr Mehboob Ali was honoured at Pengam Health Centre on April 15, where he worked single-handedly for 45 years.

Dr Ali, the longest-serving GP in the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (ABUHB) area until his retirement in 2022, was commemorated for being a ‘pillar of the community’ on what would have been his 81st birthday. 

Residents, family members, and former colleagues came together for the event which saw a plaque unveiled by Dr Ali’s widow.

Judith Paget, CHief executive of NHS Wales, and the former boss of ABUHB, said: “I came to work in the Caerphilly Borough in the year 2000 and fell in love with this patch. When I first started, and was finding out about the area, everybody who talked about Dr Ali had really positive, warm and kind things to say about him.

“We have a lot to thank doctors like Dr Ali and doctors of his generation, who came to work in our communities, because they made a huge contribution. 

“Dr Ali looked after five generations of some local families. It wasn’t just about being a GP – he did work for local charities and extended his reach into the community, and really cared about the people that he served.”

Dr Ali’s daughter, Sophia, also shared a speech, recalling memories of a much-loved husband, father and grandfather.

Dr Liam Taylor, Deputy Medical Director of Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, mirrored these sentiments and said: “As a GP, you need a good, strong family behind you, so this tribute isn’t just to Dr Ali, but to his beloved wife and family who supported him.”