Western Telegraph | Local News, Sport & Entertainment

Top doctor honoured

From the Western Telegraph, first published Tuesday 18th Jun 2002.

Two Pembrokeshire people who have played leading roles in the health service in West Wales have been recognised in the Queenís Birthday Honours List.

One is Dr Arabinda Palit who arrived in Britain from India 40 years ago and has had a successful career in the county. He receives the OBE for services to medicine.

The other is Margret Price, former chairman of Dyfed Powys Health Authority and now chairman of the Carmarthenshire NHS Trust. She too has been awarded the OBE for her services to the National Health Service.

Dr Arabinda Palit, who is pictured with four of his former patients - Emma Scourfield and baby Lily, Simon Merriman, Amy Williams and Daisy Cloud - was consultant paediatrician for Pembrokeshire until his retirement last month, and has been a highly-respected leader of the childrenís health-care team at Withybush Hospital.

His award has, he confesses, left him ëhappy but embarrassedí. ìI have been doing a job which I have thoroughly enjoyed alongside lots of other people working as hard, or harder, who have not had any recognition,î he said. ìSo it has left me extremely embarrassed, although I do feel happy at the same time.î

Dr Palit, aged 65, is originally from Bengal where his father was a surgeon and physician. He qualified in Calcutta in 1960 and came to Britain two years later.

He practised in Wrexham, Cardiff and Liverpool, where he met his wife Jackie who was a student nurse.

In 1973, Dr Palit was appointed as paediatrician for the Dyfed Health Authority and then became the first consultant paediatrician for Pembrokeshire.

He worked single-handed for the first 20 years, but latterly has been joined by fellow paediatricians Dr Vas Falcao and Dr Vipulendran. Dr Palitís successor has been appointed, and will start work in July.

ìI like to think I have left the service in good shape,î he said this week. ìThe work has been so rewarding, and I have had wonderful colleagues and such dedicated nursing staff. I would do exactly the same if I had my time over again.î

Dr and Mrs Palit live in Narberth where Jackie is a leading figure in local arts and youth organisations, and he is treasurer of the Narberth Film Society.

The couple have two daughters - Shumana, aged 29, who runs the Ultracomida Deli in Aberystwyth, and Shumita, aged 27, who is a textile designer in Nottingham.

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