Meet Konjit, the new Dean of the Hamlin College of Midwives

In 2022, Konjit Kassahun was appointed Dean and Prevention Manager of the Hamlin College of Midwives. She shares her achievements and learnings during her first year in this role.

I am Head of Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia’s nationwide Prevention program. I formerly worked at the Addis Ababa hospital as Matron and Head of Nursing and worked alongside Catherine Hamlin for many years.

I learned numerous skills and knowledge from Dr. Catherine. She was a role model to me and all working in the hospital and we always remember her compassionate care, love, and respect for all her patients.

As Dean, I create diverse learning opportunities for our students and staff. In 2022, twenty-two students graduated with an excellent grade and all midwives are deployed to Hamlin-supported clinics in their local areas. 

All academic staff receive training to enhance skill and knowledge and be a more competent and skillful workforce. In February 2023, the second cohort of thirty students enrolled in the MSc postgraduate degree in Clinical Midwifery. The first cohort is in four outreach hospitals doing their internship practice until May next year.

We have purchased essential drugs for 92 Hamlin-supported clinics and continued with the mentoring activities of the midwives. The challenges we face include a rise in costs which reduces our capacity to purchase drugs and equipment.

The security and political instability, especially in the northern part, is challenging our prevention activities and mentorship work, increasing the number of home deliveries and complications in childbirth and death of mothers and their babies.

Thanks to our generous donors, we are giving a very high quality education to our midwives. Training kind, competent, and compassionate midwives to prevent maternal and neonatal deaths and prevent obstetric fistula definitely has a very good value for money. 

Thank you for your kind support of our work!