Gamage Dhammika Perera
London,City of London
Summary
A seasoned healthcare professional with extensive expertise in clinical governance and patient safety systems, quality assurance for pharmaceuticals and medical devices, and reproductive health programming. Demonstrates leadership in pandemic preparedness and emergency response, alongside board and trustee assurance for governance and risk oversight. Skilled in programme design, policy guidance, stakeholder management, and representation in international technical forums. Proficient in outcome measurement techniques, fundraising capabilities, resource allocation proficiency, telemedicine technologies, evidence-based medicine practices, biostatistical data analysis, pharmaceutical expertise, risk management, quality improvement, data-driven decisions, healthcare innovation, communication with stakeholders. Holds a Doctor of Medicine degree with a commitment to advancing healthcare standards globally.
Driven professional with compassionate approach and strong foundation in clinical management and strategic leadership. Possesses exceptional communication skills and proven ability to collaborate across multi-disciplinary teams. Poised to enhance patient care standards and drive organisational success in healthcare settings.
Motivated [Job Title] with years of experience providing quality care in fast-paced settings. Plans and coordinates staff and resources to meet high-volume patient needs. Quick thinking and adaptable to evolving business and service user requirements.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
2032
2032
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Global Medical Director
MSI Reproductive Choices
London, London
2014.08 - 2026.03
- Set MSI’s clinical standards and clinical governance systems supporting >1,000,000 consultations per month.
- Maintain clinical guidelines, policies, and clinical training cascades across MSI’s country programmes.
- Set pharmaceutical and medical device quality standards across MSI.
- Overall accountable for pandemic preparedness and response across the organization.
- Provide assurance on clinical quality and risk management to the Board of Trustees.
- Contribute to organizational strategy at senior management level and promote a culture of clinical quality and client safety.
- Represent MSI in international technical forums.
- Key memberships and affiliations:
- World Health Organization (WHO) – Self-Care Committee Member
- WHO – HRP – Clinical Evidence Review Group on Abortion
- UK Faculty of Public Health – Honorary Fellow
- International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) – Committee on Safe Abortion
- BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health – Reviewer
- Developed strategic plans, resulting in enhanced clinical services.
- Directed all clinical operations for effective team management.
- Coordinated public health initiatives, leading to improved community health standards.
- Coordinated multi-disciplinary teams to ensure high-quality patient care.
- Collaborated closely with other healthcare departments to optimise service delivery.
- Oversaw budgeting and financial planning activities achieving cost efficiency across the board.
- Defined leadership strategy to achieve clinical requirements and maintain exceptional patient care.
- Promoted sound financial management to achieve establishment targets.
- Evaluated resource and service use to maximise department productivity.
- Planned annual budgets to meet operational needs within financial targets.
- Represented practice services at media interviews and public hearings.
- Presented financial forecasts to assess progress against targets.
Head of Reproductive Health
International Rescue Committee (IRC)
New York
2010.07 - 2014.07
- Designed reproductive health programmes and activities across IRC operations.
- Provided policy guidance and quality standards to reproductive health programmes in 13 countries.
- Ensured reproductive health priorities were reflected across all IRC health programmes.
- Oversaw emergency reproductive health interventions including design, budgeting, and implementation.
- Represented IRC in reproductive health forums and served as organisational focal point for external agencies.
- Steering Committee Member and Head, Family Planning Working Group, Inter-Agency Working Group on Reproductive Health in Crises.
Country Director and Acting Health Coordinator (Liberia)
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) – Spain
Liberia, Monrovia
2009.07 - 2010.07
- Overall accountable for all MSF Spain activities in Liberia.
- Set and maintained the quality of services across MSF hospitals in Liberia.
- Represented MSF Spain and served as focal point for engagement with the Government of Liberia.
- Led construction and transition of a new hospital, including sustainability planning with third-party INGO/donor support.
- Managed interactions with government officials to maintain favourable organisational standing.
- Streamlined operational processes by incorporating innovative technology solutions.
- Strengthened donor relationships through regular updates on project progress.
- Collaborated with other Country Directors to share best practices and improve overall effectiveness in the region.
- Developed project proposals, securing funding from international donors.
Country Director (Liberia)
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) – Spain & Switzerland
Monrovia, Liberia
2007.07 - 2008.10
- Overall accountable for MSF Switzerland and MSF Spain activities in Liberia.
- Ensured quality and continuity of services across three hospitals.
- Managed multidisciplinary teams of 25 international staff and 500+ national staff.
- Ensured completion of a 1,300-case randomized clinical trial assessing artesunate–amodiaquine (fixed-dose) versus artemether–lumefantrine.
- Represented MSF sections in national forums and led engagement with government and partner agencies.
- Strengthened public image of organisation through effective media relations.
- Fostered diplomatic relations with regional stakeholders to strengthen partnerships.
- Developed project proposals, securing funding from international donors.
- Monitored programme delivery, ensuring compliance with organisational standards and regulations.
- Strengthened donor relationships through regular updates on project progress.
- Managed interactions with government officials to maintain favourable organisational standing.
- Collaborated with other Country Directors to share best practices and improve overall effectiveness in the region.
Country Health Coordinator (Liberia)
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) – Spain & Switzerland
Monrovia
2007.10 - 2008.07
- Overall accountable for health services delivered by both MSF sections in Liberia (8 international and 200+ national health staff).
- Oversaw quality of outpatient and inpatient services including paediatrics (ICU/nutrition), emergency OB/GYN surgery, SGBV services, HIV/TB/PMTCT, immunisation, and laboratory/blood bank systems.
- Represented MSF sections in health coordination forums and supervised medical supply forecasting and international ordering.
- Provided expert witness testimony in national court cases related to sexual violence.
Country Health Coordinator (Bangladesh)
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) – Holland
Dhaka, Bangladesh
2006.01 - 2007.05
- Accountable for MSF health services in Bangladesh (6 international and 100+ national health staff).
- Led primary health care and drug-resistant malaria programme treating >15,000 patients per month and delivered services across three refugee camp settings.
- Represented MSF Holland and MSF Germany in health coordination forums.
- Conducted emergency measles vaccination campaigns and designed kala-azar interventions in northern Bangladesh.
- Liaised with external parties to ensure seamless project execution.
- Streamlined team communication by implementing effective coordination strategies.
- Coordinated project meetings, documenting key action items and decisions.
Medical Doctor, HIV/TB
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) – Switzerland
Kajo Keji, South Sudan
2005.08 - 2006.01
- Led HIV and TB services in a referral hospital with ~200 staff delivering inpatient and outpatient care.
- Established and supervised VCT and HIV/TB treatment services, including staff training.
- Managed HIV/TB medical consumption and international ordering and analysed programme data.
- Managed clinic operations for efficient healthcare delivery.
- Collaborated with medical teams, enhancing teamwork in the hospital setting.
- Kept abreast with latest medical research to provide updated care.
Medical Doctor in Charge
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) – Holland
Bandarban, Bangladesh
2004.02 - 2005.06
- Started up primary care programmes focused on drug-resistant malaria in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
- Led advocacy contributing to adoption of artemether–lumefantrine (Coartem) in national malaria treatment protocol.
- Supervised mobile clinics, medical supply management, data collection, and international ordering.
- Managed multidisciplinary local teams including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, field staff, and laboratory technicians.
- Kept abreast with latest medical research to provide updated care.
- Managed clinic operations for efficient healthcare delivery.
Assistant Divisional Director (Public Health)
Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka
Madawachchiya
2002.03 - 2003.12
- Together with the Divisional Director, accountable for public health (clinical and administrative) for a population of approximately 45,000.
- Spearheaded divisional projects for successful completion ahead of deadline.
- Developed budgets and financial forecasts for improved fiscal management.
- Optimised resource allocation, reducing operating costs significantly.
- Directed staff for improved productivity and efficiency.
Medical Officer
Teaching Hospital, Kurunegala, Sri Lanka
Kurunegala
2000.04 - 2002.03
- Resident Medical Officer, Surgery | Apr 2000–Sep 2000
- Resident Medical Officer, Paediatrics (including neonatal/premature care) | Sep 2000–Apr 2001
- Medical Officer, Emergency Unit (including emergency intensive care) | Apr 2001–Mar 2002
- Improved efficiency and productivity by acquiring new skills.
- Applied critical thinking to analyse problems, evaluate solutions and select best decisions.
Junior Medical Officer
Sri Lanka Army Medical Corps
Colombo
1999.10 - 2000.04
Education
Master of Public Health - Public Health
University of Manchester
Manchester 2008.09 - 2009.08
Postgraduate Diploma - International Health, Equity and Human Rights
University of Oslo
Oslo 2005.05 - 2005.07
MBBS - Medicine and Surgery
University of Colombo
Colombo 1994.03 - 1999.12
PhD - Public Health
Walden University
Minnesota 2012.09 - 2019.01
Fellowship through Distinction - Public Health
UK Faculty of Public Health
LondonSkills
- Clinical governance and patient safety systems at scale
- Quality assurance for pharmaceuticals and medical devices
- Clinical standards, guidelines, and competency-based training systems
- Reproductive, maternal, newborn and sexual health programming (including humanitarian settings)
- Pandemic preparedness and emergency response leadership
- Board and trustee assurance; governance and risk oversight
- Programme design, policy guidance, and multi-country technical leadership
- Stakeholder management and representation in international technical forums
- Fundraising capabilities
- Resource allocation proficiency
- Experience with telemedicine technologies
- Evidence-Based medicine practices
- Quality improvement
- Data-Driven decisions
- Clinical governance principles
- Patient safety management
- Healthcare innovation
- Communication with stakeholders
- Biostatistical data analysis
- Pharmaceutical expertise
Websites
ARTICLES AND PUBLICATIONS (SELECTED)
- Perera, D. (2010). MSF in Liberia: To stay or not to stay. ABÅ, 48.
- Perera, D. (2010). Why copyright science? BMJ, 341:c5803. (Letter)
- Voice of America (2012). Family Planning for Women in Conflict Areas Seen as Crucial. (Interview)
- McDaniel, A., Perera, D., & Orr, T. The Community-Based Access to Injectables Global Project: Preliminary findings from pilot implementation in Liberia. (Abstract)
- Smith, J., Ho, L., Langston, A., Shivshanker, A., & Perera, D. (2013). Clinical care for sexual assault survivors multimedia training: A mixed-methods study. Conflict and Health, 7:14.
- Smith, J., Ho, L., Langston, A., & Perera, D. Effect of training on competent and compassionate clinical care for sexual assault survivors in conflict: A mixed-methods study.
- Stewart, R., & Perera, G. D. (2021). Keeping up with the medical abortion revolution: The Marie Stopes International abortifacient quality assurance system. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics, 152(3), 288–290.
- Two manuscripts submitted to FIGO’s International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology (in review at time of CV compilation).
ADDITIONAL TRAINING
- Abortion: Quality of Care and Public Health Implications, University of California San Francisco (UCSF) | Oct–Nov 2014
- Advanced Management (Country Director) Course, MSF Spain, Barcelona | Apr 2010
- Medical Management Course, MSF Holland, Bochum | Oct 2006
- Course on Populations in Danger (PSP), MSF Spain, Barcelona | Feb 2006
- HIV/AIDS/ARV Course, MSF Geneva | May 2005
- Child Abuse and Therapy of Abused Children, Golda Meyer Mount Carmel International Training Center, Haifa | Apr 2003
- Health services for sexual assault survivors in emergencies, IRC Clinical Workshop, Nairobi | Mar 2011
- Family planning as first line in reducing maternal mortality, Inter-Agency Working Group Conference, Istanbul | Nov 2011
- Reproductive health programming of the IRC, FHI360 Headquarters, Durham, NC | Oct 2012
- Postpartum haemorrhage: uterotonics and implementation realities, WHO, Geneva | Mar 2013
- Community-based access to injectable contraceptives, Women Deliver, Kuala Lumpur | May 2013
- Moderator: Family planning in acute emergencies, Inter-Agency Working Group for RH, Kuala Lumpur | May 2013
- Providing choice where little is at hand, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine | May 2016
- Understanding abortion in global health, University of Manchester | Feb 2017
- Keynote: Global advances in contraception and safe abortion, Chinese National Medical Conference, Chengdu | 2017
- Quality assuring SRH programmes at scale, Faculty of SRH UK session, Royal Society of Medicine | Apr 2018
- Shorter protocols in medical abortion, FIGO, Rio de Janeiro | Oct 2018
- Role of private providers in abortion and post-abortion care, FIGO, Rio de Janeiro | Oct 2018
- Keynote: Why choice matters, Medical Students for Choice annual conference, Philadelphia | 2019
- Male contraception: elusive or neglected?, Medical Students for Choice | Mar 2021
BOARD AND GOVERNANCE ROLES
- Non-Executive Director, South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (Chair, Quality & Safety)
- Non-Executive Director, Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust | Jan 2022–Dec 2022
- Non-Executive Director, Marie Stopes Romania
- Non-Executive Director, Marie Stopes Bangladesh
- Non-Executive Director, Population Services (Sri Lanka)
Affiliations
- Travelling
- High resolution audio
- Driving
Languages
English
Proficient (C2)
Sinhalese
Proficient (C2)
Spanish
Intermediate
Timeline
Global Medical Director
MSI Reproductive Choices
2014.08 - 2026.03
PhD - Public Health
Walden University
2012.09 - 2019.01
Head of Reproductive Health
International Rescue Committee (IRC)
2010.07 - 2014.07
Country Director and Acting Health Coordinator (Liberia)
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) – Spain
2009.07 - 2010.07
Master of Public Health - Public Health
University of Manchester
2008.09 - 2009.08
Country Health Coordinator (Liberia)
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) – Spain & Switzerland
2007.10 - 2008.07
Country Director (Liberia)
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) – Spain & Switzerland
2007.07 - 2008.10
Country Health Coordinator (Bangladesh)
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) – Holland
2006.01 - 2007.05
Medical Doctor, HIV/TB
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) – Switzerland
2005.08 - 2006.01
Postgraduate Diploma - International Health, Equity and Human Rights
University of Oslo
2005.05 - 2005.07
Medical Doctor in Charge
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) – Holland
2004.02 - 2005.06
Assistant Divisional Director (Public Health)
Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka
2002.03 - 2003.12
Medical Officer
Teaching Hospital, Kurunegala, Sri Lanka
2000.04 - 2002.03
Junior Medical Officer
Sri Lanka Army Medical Corps
1999.10 - 2000.04
MBBS - Medicine and Surgery
University of Colombo
1994.03 - 1999.12
Fellowship through Distinction - Public Health
UK Faculty of Public Health