Dr. UKD Ajith Goonetilleke

Consultant Neurologist

Specializations

• General Neurology
• Headache Disorders
• Neuromuscular Disorders
• Cognitive Disorders
• Neurophysiology

Experience

Dr Ajith Goonetilleke is a Consultant Neurologist and Physician Leader with over 35 years of experience across the UK and the UAE. His career is defined by clinical excellence, pioneering healthcare infrastructure in Abu Dhabi, and high-level medical governance.

Clinical & Academic Expertise

• Specializations: Expert in clinical neurology and neurophysiology (EEG, nerve conduction studies, EMG, Evoked Potentials), with a focus on headache disorders, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.
• Academic Standing: Holds prestigious fellowships, and has served as an Associate/Clinical Professor for institutions including Johns Hopkins, Khalifa University, and Gulf Medical University. He has over 40 international publications.

Leadership & Service Development

• Chief of Neurology & Chair of Medicine: Held senior leadership roles at major UAE institutions.
• Pioneering Initiatives: Established the first 24-hour stroke thrombolysis service in Abu Dhabi (2010) and set up advanced neurophysiology departments from scratch at multiple hospitals.
• Regulatory Influence: Serves as a Department of Health (DOH) examiner, licensing neurologists for Abu Dhabi, and has chaired the SEHA Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee for nearly a decade.

Business & Management Credentials

• Education: Beyond medicine, he holds a PG Dip in Medical Leadership and is currently completing an MBA at Durham University (achieving a 91.7% in MBA Essentials at LSE).
• Operational Impact: Proven track record in improving revenue generation through accurate medical coding and leading task forces to reduce patient waiting times and improve clinical documentation.

Recognition

• Awarded the UAE Golden Visa (Special Talent category, First Wave) in 2021.
• Recipient of numerous awards, including the Best Clinical Research Award, the Gordon Holmes Prize, and the Durham University Business School Achievement Scholarship.

Qualifications