The tragedy of obstetric fistula One of the worst things that can happen to a woman or girl is an obstetric fistula, an internal injury caused by an obstructed labour during childbirth that leaves her incontinent and shunned by her community. The physical consequences of this childbirth injury are debilitating. The hole between the birth […]...
Elfinesh has been running her shop for the last three years, where she sells a wide variety of products needed for life in a rural town in northwestern Ethiopia. You could find just about anything you need in her small shop – from spices to soap, cooking oil to safety pins. Hanging from the roof […]...
Medical Director and Surgeon, Hamlin’s Bahir Dar Fistula Hospital Dr Bitew Abebe is the Medical Director at Hamlin’s Bahir Dar Fistula Hospital. Dr Bitew joined Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia in 2009, working as a Fistula Surgeon and Urogynaecologist. Prior to working at Hamlin, he studied medicine at the Addis Ababa University and specialised in Obstetrics and […]...
Our work to eradicate obstetric fistula is only possible thanks to the generosity of our supporters. One way to make a meaningful contribution to the continuation of Dr Catherine Hamlin’s work and a lasting tribute to women across Ethiopia is through leaving a gift in your Will, also known as a bequest. Jane is helping […]...
Growing up in a rural village in southwestern Ethiopia, Kuma did not have access to quality maternal health care. As a result, she experienced an obstructed labour at home that resulted in her suffering obstetric fistula injuries. Kuma suffered with fistula for over ten years before she was identified and given life-changing treatment at Hamlin’s […]...
Zinash’s story transformed from struggle to joy through the extraordinary care and love of the staff at Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia. For Zinash, being referred to a Hamlin fistula hospital was life changing, and the care she received would end her suffering from fistula once and for all. Living in a small rural town in southern […]...
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) recently released its annual State of World Population (SWOP) report for 2021. The 2021 SWOP report highlights issues relating to reproductive and sexual health. This year’s report focuses on the theme of bodily autonomy, the power of women to make decisions about their own bodies. The report details a […]...
Meet Lynne Acworth: educator, volunteer, and passionate advocate for obstetric fistula patients. Now retired, the Sydney-based Geography teacher has participated in a variety of activities – from volunteering at the Hamlin Shop to educating future generations about preventable childbirth injuries in Ethiopia. This reflects the amazing ethos that all of our Hamlin Champions embody. Passionate […]...
Using data from the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey, a recent 2021 study by Woldia University (published 7 July 2021) in Ethiopia has identified obstetric fistula as a devastating obstetric issue in Ethiopia with continued prevalence. The study looked at 7,590 women over five years who had given birth and found that of these […]...
The Hamlin clinical team is globally renowned for its treatment technique. Surgeons from all over the world have trained at Hamlin to learn this acclaimed best practice for obstetric fistula-repair surgery. In addition to Hamlin’s Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital, Hamlin has five regional fistula hospitals across Ethiopia to ensure access for women in remote areas. […]...
A message from Carolyn Hardy: Chief Executive Officer, Catherine Hamlin Fistula Foundation This year was a year of tremendous success at Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia. In the twelve months from July 2020 to June 2021, 1,508 surgeries were performed at Hamlin’s six fistula hospitals. That’s 1,508 women’s lives restored. Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia’s outreach officers and clinical […]...
Mamitu Gashe: One of the world’s preeminent fistula surgeons Beloved by all at Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia, Mamitu Gashe is known for her remarkable journey to become one of the world’s great fistula surgeons. In 1989, along with Drs Reg and Catherine Hamlin, Mamitu Gashe won the Gold Medal for surgery from the Royal College of Surgeons […]...
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