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Meet our Clinical Team: Dr Zehara Sualih

Dr Zehara Sualih, Medical Director and Surgeon at Hamlin’s Metu Fistula Hospital

Dr Zehara Sualih is the Medical Director and Surgeon at Hamlin’s Metu Fistula Hospital. A trained obstetrician and gynaecologist, she is a valued member of Hamlin’s Clinical Team.

Dr Zehara joined Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia in January 2015, after previously working at the Metu Karl Hospital. Having graduated from the University of Gondar with her medical degree, she specialised in obstetrics and gynaecology.

The motivation to work for Hamlin was clear: “It is the best centre in Ethiopia to take care of women in need,” says Dr Zehara. It was not until she joined Hamlin that Dr Zehara learnt the surgical technique used for obstetric fistula repair, training under senior fistula surgeons of Hamlin’s Clinical Team.

The life’s work of Drs Catherine and Reg Hamlin is incredibly inspirational for members of the Hamlin Clinical Team. “I don’t have the words to describe their selfless effort to change the lives of poor women. Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia’s work has enabled a lot of women to live again and move forward,” says Dr Zehara.

Becoming an even better fistula surgeon

In the five years since she joined Hamlin, Dr Zehara has performed approximately 700 fistula repair surgeries. Thanks to the Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia’s status as a centre of excellence in maternal health, Dr Zehara has been able to develop professionally.

“Being a female Obstetrician-Gynaecologist, a mother and a friend to Ethiopian women who come to our hospital – I have no other option than to dedicate my life to helping these women and alleviating the burden of their suffering”, says Dr Zehara.

Being involved in both the Hamlin Urogynaecology Fellowship and the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) surgeon training program has made her an even better fistula surgeon. “It makes me a better physician to holistically manage women’s birth injuries. My priority is to serve women with up to date, high quality care,” says Dr Zehara.

When she is not changing women’s lives, Dr Zehara likes to spend time playing with her four children, reading books and watching the occasional movie. Balancing life and work, Dr Zehara has been able to flourish professionally. “I feel that I am living a meaningful life! I am very happy with my job and the organisation is doing great,” she reflects.

Dr Zehara his working to build a world where fistula has been eradicated. She looks forward with optimism: “My hope for the future is generations of empowered women, who can make Ethiopia fistula-free.”

Learn more about Hamlin’s Clinical Team here.

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