Dr Amir registered for his MPH as a 25-year-old hospital director in one of the worst performing and poorly-resourced hospitals in a remote part of Ethiopia. He set about transforming it into a model hospital for the rest of the country through introducing pioneer governance and accountability systems, mobilising community, and promoting patient-centred care and primary health care.

During his studies, Dr Hagos requested a transfer to the Ministry of Health’s human resources department (his area of MPH specialisation), from where he quickly moved from Director of Human Resources Development to the Director of Planning, Policy and Finance – then to State (Deputy) Minister. In May 2018 he was appointed Minister of Health.

Under his leadership, the health sector has seen many significant successes, particularity in the area of maternal and child health and human resources development, The number of medical schools has increased from 13 to 32, the enrolment of medical students has grown from less than 1,000 into 3,100 per annum, and the additional 9,000 health extension workers have been deployed throughout the country. 

At present, Amir is Country Operation Lead of the Global Financing Facility (GFF).