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Tadelche* lives in a small village in the Wolaita region in southwestern Ethiopia. After getting married, Tadelche gave birth to her daughter at home, followed soon after by her son. But the birth of Tadelche’s third child proved traumatic. During a painful, prolonged labour she sought help at the nearest health centre, but the damage was done. Tadelche had sustained an obstetric fistula. She told us, “The fistula caused me to constantly leak urine. I was ashamed and worried about how I would care for my children in this condition.”
Life-changing obstetric fistula treatment
The Hamlin healthcare network, begun more than four decades ago, has now expanded to cover the breadth of the country. Every woman who arrives at one of six Hamlin fistula hospitals is embraced with loving care and is the start of her healing journey. From the moment Tadelche arrived at Hamlin’s Yirgalem Fistula Hospital, she felt a sense of relief.
She said, “The [Hamlin] staff treated my physical illness and gave me hope for the future. I realised I was not alone in this struggle. I could overcome this challenge and be the mother my children deserved.”
She was warmly welcomed by the hospital staff and the other patients reassured her that the treatment was not painful.
“They [staff] took such wonderful care of me. They bathed me, fed me regular meals and checked on me constantly. I was amazed at the kindness and compassion they showed. They not only healed my body, but also my spirit.”
After obstetric fistula repair surgery, Tadelche felt a renewed sense of purpose. She was eager to return home, reconnect with her family and restart her job at a local restaurant. She is forever grateful to the doctors and nurses for the care she received.
“They have truly changed the course of my life. I will always remember it and I hope to one day pay it forward to others in need. I look to the future with
excitement.”
Tadelche is now healed in body and spirit.
A gift in your Will helps other women like Tadelche
There are an estimated 31,000 Ethiopian women living with untreated obstetric fistula injuries. Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia is working hard to locate them in remote areas of the country and repair their injuries. A gift in your Will ensures no more women like Tadelche suffer the debilitating impacts of obstetric fistula.
