TRIBUTES have been paid to a long-serving doctor who spearheaded a new service for Darlington in the 1970s and has died at the age of 91.

Dr Abdul Jaleel, who was a former consultant in rheumatology and physical medicine at Darlington Memorial Hospital, died at his home in the town on February 19.

The highly regarded doctor, who was born in Pakistan but had lived in the UK since 1963, was 91.

As well as bringing a rheumatology service to Darlington for the first time, Dr Jaleel spent time trying to address discrimination against doctors from overseas after he was overlooked for 45 jobs, despite his credentials.

He also worked for the town’s Citizen Advice for more than a decade after retiring as a clinician.

Dr Willson Taylor, a former colleague and friend said: “Abdul Jaleel was a fine clinician and outstanding medical politician, well regarded and liked by his patients and colleagues alike.

“He dedicated much of his professional life to the BMA and as such he embellished it whilst his cheerful, friendly disposition embellished hospital life generally. His sad loss feels like the end of an era.”

Darlington and Stockton Times: Dr Abdul Jaleel, who has died at his home in Darlington at the age of 91Dr Abdul Jaleel, who has died at his home in Darlington at the age of 91

Dr Jaleel studied medicine at the University of Punjab in Lahore before coming to the UK in 1963.

Within a year, he secured Membership of the Royal College of Physicians before embarking on a dedicated and successful career as one of the North East’s earliest rheumatology consultants. 

From 1972-95, he worked tirelessly to spearhead a new rheumatology service for Darlington and the wider region, providing in-patient and out-patient services at Darlington Memorial alongside out-patient services at The Friarage Hospital, Northallerton, and Bishop Auckland General Hospital.

For the large part, he delivered the service single-handedly, joined later by Dr Mohammed Sattar.

Dr Jaleel was also chairman of the medical staff committee and medical advisory committee and a consultant member of the district management team at Darlington Memorial Hospital. 

He became honorary secretary to the Darlington division of the British Medical Association (BMA) and was later awarded fellowship of the BMA for his outstanding services.

Known by many of his colleagues as the consummate medical politician, Dr Jaleel used his influence within the BMA to address discrimination towards overseas doctors, something that he himself experienced on entering the UK, when he was overlooked for 45 jobs despite his exceptional credentials.

After retiring from the NHS in 2000, he worked at the Citizens Advice Bureau in Darlington for a further 10 years.