Restoring Health and Dignity
Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia exists to ensure the health and dignity of women who have survived a horrendous, and preventable, childbirth injury: obstetric fistula.
In most cases a fistula can be repaired with a single life-changing surgery that, for some, can take as little as two hours. Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia is globally renowned for its fistula treatment technique. Developed by Dr Catherine Hamlin, this pioneering surgical technique has been recognised as a best practice in global health by leading organisations like the Australian Medical Association, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the Global Health Council, the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and the Society of Gynecologic Surgeons.
Surgeons from around the globe visit and train at Hamlin’s hospitals to learn this acclaimed, world-best treatment. Click here to meet some members of Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia’s Clinical Team.
“The life changing surgery restores their health and their dignity.”
– Oprah Winfrey
Hamlin’s Regional Fistula Hospitals
Initially working from the Princess Tsehai Memorial Hospital in Addis Ababa, Drs Reg and Catherine Hamlin refined the surgical technique to repair obstetric fistula injuries, while continuing to treat a broad range of obstetric cases. Within the first three years, Reg and Catherine had operated on 300 fistula patients.
As news of a cure spread, many more patients came seeking treatment. To cater for the demand Catherine and Reg began fundraising and opened the now world-renowned Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital in 1974.
In addition to Hamlin’s Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital, Catherine went on to establish five regional fistula hospitals throughout Ethiopia to ensure access for women in remote areas. All six Hamlin fistula hospitals also provide a birthing facility where former patients can return for a safe caesarean delivery, free of charge, thanks to generous donors.
Today, Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia is fully staffed by over 550 Ethiopians who continue Catherine’s legacy of transforming maternal healthcare for women across Ethiopia. Click here to read our latest Hamlin Treatment Impact Report.
Addis Ababa
1974
Hamlin’s Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital is the main fistula hospital located in the capital Addis Ababa, in the centre of Ethiopia. Built in 1974, the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital has three wards, a large operating theatre, specialist clinics including a physiotherapy department, urodynamic and stoma clinic, pharmacy and pathology services. The hospital has a 120-bed capacity.
Mekele
2006
Hamlin’s Mekele Fistula Hospital was opened in February 2006. Strategically located in Mekele, in the northern fringe of Ethiopia, the hospital also caters to patients from the neighbouring Afar and Amhara regions. Mekele Fistula Hospital’s dedicated health officer’s primary responsibility is to locate fistula patients in inaccessible parts of Tigray and to promote health education to prevent fistulas from occurring.
Yirgalem
2006
Located to the south of Addis Ababa, Hamlin’s Yirgalem Fistula Hospital has treated thousands of fistula patients from the Southern Nations and Nationalities Peoples’ Region (SNNPR) since its establishment in 2006. The staff at Yirgalem were taught at the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital and have a particular commitment to caring for impoverished women in the Sidoma zone of SNNPR.
Bahir Dar
2007
Hamlin’s Bahir Dar Fistula Hospital, located in the capital of the Amhara region, is approximately 540km north-west of Addis Ababa. Opened in 2007, the hospital has treated thousands of fistula patients from the Amhara region and reintegrated the majority of them back into their communities. Many of the staff at Bahir Dar are former patients who were trained by Hamlin’s senior doctors, including Catherine.
Harar
2008
In 2008, Catherine opened Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia’s fourth regional fistula hospital in Harar. Strategically located as Hamlin’s easternmost hospital, Harar is approximately 500km east of Addis Ababa. The Public Health Officer at Hamlin’s Harar Fistula Hospital works in Harar and the neighbouring regions to raise awareness of fistula.
Metu
2010
Hamlin’s Metu Fistula Hospital was opened in 2010. Metu is situated along the Sor River, 600km southwest of Addis Ababa, in the Oromia region. The Metu hospital is of great importance in Oromia, where there is limited access to health facilities for its population of over 35 million people. The hospital also employs numerous teachers to teach literacy, provide health education and handicrafts training to fistula patients.
“Working with her [Catherine Hamlin] was a blessing. She made me look beyond surgical techniques and created an outstanding model on how to provide holistic and patient-centred care for these poor women.”
– Dr Yeshineh Demerew, Medical Director at Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia
Beyond Surgery…
It is the emotional scars of shame and isolation that are often the hardest to treat with survivors of obstetric fistula. These women have often been shunned by their communities and discarded to live in isolation. Catherine knew that any physical treatment had to come hand in hand with mending emotional scars – that’s why she developed the Hamlin Model of Care.
The Hamlin Model of Care considers the whole person with respect and compassion – treating the physical, psychological and emotional effects of fistula. At every Hamlin hospital, women receive a customised program that includes surgical repair, counselling, rehabilitation and reintegration. Longer-term patients are also supported with income-generating training and placements to allow them to live independently.
To date, over 60,000 women have had their health and dignity restored at Hamlin. Their treatment is free, thanks to a movement of generous donors, like you, who believe no woman should suffer this cruel and debilitating condition.
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