Dr. Hakim Syed Khaleefathullah is an Indian physician and the founder of Niamath Science Academy, known for his scholarship and expertise in the alternative medicine system of Unani. He was honoured by the Government of India, in 2014, with the Padma Shri, the fourth highest Indian civilian award, for his contribution to the field of medicine. He was born in 1938 in Chennai, India. He was a Member of the Central Council for Health & Family Welfare (1999-2001), Chairman, Unani Pharmacopoeia Committee, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India (1998-2002) and is currently Member, Governing Body and Chairman, Clinical Research subcommittee, Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine, New Delhi and Member Ayurvedic, Siddha & Unani Drugs Technical Advisory Board, Government of India.

In recognition of his contribution to the development and propagation of Unani Medicine, the Tamil Nadu Dr.MGR Medical University awarded the Degree of Doctor of Sciences (Honoris Causa) in 1998.  He has been honoured as ‘Baba-e-Tibb’ (1989), Hakim-e-Millath (1990) and was awarded the Physician of the year Gold Medal and Citation (1990), Bharat Bishaq Ratna (1995) and several other such awards and honours.  He is President, Niamath Science Academy, Fellow of the National Academy of Indian Medicines and Fellow of the Foundation of Integrated Medicine.  There are many achievements to his credit that can neither be enumerated nor be praised aptly in this short introduction.