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Q&A with Behailu, a Hamlin patient identification officer
The Patient Identification Program is a key part of finding the estimated 31,000 women living hidden with fistula injuries....
December 20th, 2022
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Tag: Patients
A journey to healing: Abebech’s story
Abebech's story is like that of the 31,000 women living in Ethiopia with untreated fistula injuries. Her painful, obstructed labour went on for five days. Luckily for Abebech, she was found by Hamlin Patient Identification Officer and her story changed. ...
December 16th, 2022
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From patient to proud businesswoman
Leyat and her husband Amarech spent all their money searching for a cure for Leyat’s obstetric fistula injuries. Her life changed when she arrived at Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia. ...
October 13th, 2022
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Canadian Donors Are Powering X-ray Imaging at Hamlin’s Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital
Thanks to the generosity of our Canadian supporters and KBF Canada, Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia has a new state-of-the-art digital X-ray machine for the Radiology Unit at Hamlin’s Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital. ...
July 14th, 2022
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International Day to End Obstetric Fistula 2022
On the International Day to Eradicate Obstetric Fistula, and every day, the Catherine Hamlin Fistula Foundation remains determined to build a fistula-free world for every woman....
May 17th, 2022
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How Zigiju Regained Her Strength
Zigiju had an active childhood looking after her family’s livestock. Raised in an isolated rural village in the Amhara region of Ethiopia, Zigiju would walk for kilometres to the nearest river to bring water back to her family. She never could have imagined that as an adult, obstetric fistula, a preventable childbirth injury, would confine […]...
March 14th, 2022
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No Longer Defined by Fistula: Mulu’s story
Fistula stole Mulu’s joy, confidence, and relationships for 17 years. Thanks to a diversion surgery at Hamlin, she is regaining her health, happiness, and sense of self....
February 24th, 2022
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From Heartbreak to Hope: Zemzem’s Journey
An obstetric fistula injury nearly cost Zemzem her life. For over a decade, she felt ashamed and alone – until she underwent treatment at Hamlin’s Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital. Rural and remote: Zemzem’s life before fistula Zemzem’s village is nestled in the mountains of the Amhara region in northern Ethiopia. To access basic services – […]...
February 17th, 2022
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Five Days Without a Midwife: Almaz’s story
Five days. For five perilous days, Almaz endured an obstructed labour in her small Ethiopian village without a midwife. Without appropriate medical care, Almaz’s condition seriously deteriorated, and led to her suffering an obstetric fistula injury. The devastating impact of those five days without a midwife would be felt for ten long years. A life […]...
November 22nd, 2021
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After Over 30 Years, Bijige is Finally Dry
Imagine discovering that you are pregnant with your second child: the anticipation as you and your loved ones prepare to welcome a new addition to your family. Imagine waiting for days in excruciating pain as you suffer an obstructed labour without the help of a midwife. Imagine travelling, almost unconscious, on a homemade stretcher for […]...
November 2nd, 2021
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A New Start for Tarekech
Obstetric fistula took a year from Tarekech’s life. For months, Tarekech’s childbirth injury caused her to feel ashamed and worried about the state of her bed sheets and clothes. Thanks to the work of Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia’s Clinical Team, Tarekech is now dry and ready to start a new chapter of her life at the […]...
October 19th, 2021
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A Life Restored: Wubanchi’s story
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 […]...
September 2nd, 2021
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