Elda Hailu Kebede

Elda Hailu Kebede, MD, is a medical doctor, health innovator, and emergency medicine advocate committed to strengthening resilient and equitable health systems in Ethiopia. Her work spans clinical care, outbreak response, policy, and digital innovation, with a reputation for strong execution and calm leadership under pressure.

Elda began her career during the COVID-19 pandemic as Head of Logistics and General Practitioner at one of Addis Ababa’s largest quarantine centres, managing thousands of returnees and coordinating over 300 staff. She later served as General Practitioner and Adult Emergency Case Manager at Saint Peter Specialised Hospital, leading outbreak and mass-casualty responses and developing disaster preparedness systems. She also contributed to hospital reform as Project Assistant to the CEO, supporting initiatives in emergency department redesign, digital health, and service revenue generation.

Beyond hospital work, Elda has designed leadership programs for women health workers in under served areas, equipping them with confidence and advocacy skills. As co-founder and CEO of Trufat, she is building a multilingual, AI-enabled mobile platform that provides communities with lifesaving emergency guidance, tailored to Ethiopia’s diverse contexts. She also contributes to Ethiopia’s Emergency Medical Team, advancing WHO accreditation efforts and coordinating emergency deployments.

A graduate of the University of Gondar, Elda has extensive experience in emergency care, disaster management, and healthcare leadership. She was an HLA Scholar (2024–2025), an experience that deepened her commitment to equity-driven leadership and global health innovation.