“I am in Awe. Sister Belaynesh holds in her hands the power of life and death… she is able to use simple and cost-effective tools to work miracles.” – Fiona Our four wheel drive turns off the main sealed road and onto compacted earth; baked dry under bright sunshine. I squint through the dust on the windshield […]...
The Medical Women’s International Association (MWIA) Founded in 1919, the MWIA is one of the oldest professional bodies at the international level. It is as a non-governmental organisation representing female doctors from every continent around the globe. The MWIA have an important voice on all issues of interest to medical women – they initiate and support scientific projects […]...
Prevalence of obstetric fistula and symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse in rural Ethiopia. Professor Karen Ballard, Dr Fekade Ayanachew, Professor Jeremy Wright and Habtamu Atnafu Introduction The incidence of obstetric fistula remains high in countries where there is limited access or poor uptake of facility-based care during childbirth. Ethiopian women have traditionally delivered their babies at […]...
Ruziya got married and soon after fell pregnant - she and her family were overjoyed. She continued to spend each day at work and prepared to have a home delivery like so many before her....
Obstetric fistulas predominantly affect women in developing countries who lack access to quality maternal health care. A recent systematic review suggested that there are approximately one million women with fistula in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia and more than 6,000 new cases per year in these regions. We therefore know there is a problem and […]...
High Tea for Hamlin is a time of year where supporters all around Australia (and the world) get busy hosting events throughout Spring. Each event is raising funds and awareness for the important work of Dr Catherine Hamlin and her team in Ethiopia. Many of our hosts enjoy their High Tea for Hamlin so much […]...
After four long, painful days passed without any sign of the baby, Belaynesh fell unconscious. Her family rushed her to the nearest health facility in another village....
Beburuyosh felt worthless and ashamed. Whilst she was lucky to have a supportive husband, father and sister, she still felt isolated and could no longer contribute fully to her village community....
The work of Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia could not be achieved without the dedication and support of an enormous amount of people. The wonderful, loyal Ethiopian staff form the backbone of Hamlin. There are over 550 staff across various sites: the main hospital in Addis Ababa, our five regional hospitals strategically located in the provinces, Desta Mender […]...
Dr Hamlin’s work acknowledged by UNAA Last week, Dr Catherine Hamlin was awarded the United Nations Association of Australia ‘Lifework Award 2017’. The award was accepted on Catherine’s behalf by her niece and namesake Catherine II, and her nephew Philip. To mark World Humanitarian Day 2017, the UNAA Peace Program honoured exemplary Australians who have […]...
Author: Dr Felicity Gallimore – Obstetrician and Catherine Hamlin Fistula Foundation volunteer. In late 2013, Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia commissioned renowned maternal health researcher Dr Karen Ballard of Trinity College Dublin to develop and coordinate research about obstetric fistula in Ethiopia. Last year, Dr Ballard co-wrote an article ‘The changing face of obstetric fistula surgery in Ethiopia’ with specialist gynaecologist, […]...
Toyiba’s pregnancy went smoothly and she spent the final three months of her pregnancy at her mother’s home in preparation for the birth of her baby. But then everything changed. ...
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