Subject Experts

ITI has Subject Experts with expertise in a wide range of topics on trachoma, NTDs, the SAFE Strategy, trends in public health and more. Please contact us to arrange for an interview with any of our Subject Experts.

Bios

Amir Bedri Kello, M.D., Ethiopia Country Representative
As ITI’s representative to Ethiopia, Amir Bedri Kello works closely with the Minister of Health, government officials, local partners and ITI staff to create and implement programs to accomplish ITI’s trachoma elimination goals for the country. Dr. Kello played an integral role in developing the National Five-Year Strategic Plan for Trachoma Control (2006-2010) for Ethiopia that has been endorsed by the Federal Ministry of Health.  In 2007, ITI-supported partners were able to perform Trachomatous trichiasis surgeries on over 51,500 people—103% of the set target of 50,000.  Dr. Kello also manages the distribution of Pfizer-donated Zithromax to ensure efficiency in supply and consumption within Ethiopia.

Dr. Kello is an ophthalmic surgeon and brings over ten years of medical experience to his work with ITI.  Prior to joining ITI, he worked in the East Africa Regional office of Christoffel-Blindenmission as its Program Officer for Prevention of Blindness.  He has authored and co-authored numerous publications on blindness and eye disease. Dr. Kello holds a Master of Science in Community Eye Health from the University College in London, a certificate of Specialty in Opthamalmology from Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia, and a doctorate degree in Human Medicine from the University of Leipzig, Germany. He is fluent in English, German, Amharic and Harari.