[2] He was notable for the integration of tuberculosis and leprosy with general health services and the introduction of Directly observed treatment, short-course (DOTS) for treatment of tuberculosis and MDT for leprosy.
He received FCCP degree in 1984 and FWAIM Fellowship in 2002 from the United States.
He achieved FRCPI from the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland in 2007 and PhD in integrated medicine in 2010 from the United States.
[2] Ali worked at the Dhaka Medical College as an associate professor of TB and Chest Diseases during 1966–1980.
He was the first Bangladeshi to be appointed a member of the governing body of SAARC TB Centre in Nepal and later became the Chairman of the institute.