Professor Aftab Ala has spent his career in the NHS for the last 30 years including almost 20 years as Consultant Physician in Surrey. He grew up in India and moved to England in early childhood and studied in London and New York, USA.
Professor Ala has widely recognised clinical expertise in internal medicine, gastroenterology and inequalities of health with international reputation and track record in adult rare inherited metabolic liver diseases. Previously he was the Clinical Director for Gastroenterology at Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust (RSFT). Currently, he is a Professor of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at University of Surrey, Guildford and holds joint position as Consultant Hepatologist at the Institute of Liver Studies at King’s College Hospital, London.
Professor Ala was awarded a PhD from University College London. He has several leading positions in medical research organisations and plays an active role in influencing policy guidelines:
- Head of Research Development and Innovation at RSFT and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)
- Lead for South East England Network in Liver Research, including heading his own NIHR funded multi-collaborative research in minority ethnic communities, COVID-19, hepatitis and adult genetic liver disease
- Professor Ala was nominated on the NICE committee for Hepatitis B Guidelines and NHS England SE England Hepatology Clinical Reference Group and Hepatitis C Advisory Groups.
He is married with three children and his wife works as a Consultant Radiologist.
The breadth and depth of Professor Ala’s knowledge and understanding of health care systems, minority ethnic communities, cultures and faiths that he gained throughout his professional life will greatly benefit SMEF.
Professor Ala’s vision for SMEF is to improve the lives of minority ethnic communities living in Surrey by addressing:
- health care inequalities
- improving access to health care in primary and secondary care settings
- building better education and mentorship opportunities.