"Mamitu is so valuable. She’s one of the world’s top fistula surgeons. Just think: almost every fistula surgeon in the world today has been trained by Mamitu Gashe, or by someone who’s been trained by Mamitu." - Dr Yeshineh, Medical Director, Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia. From humble beginnings, and with the support of thousands of our […]

The fistula patient, the fistula surgeon, the woman "If you have no leg, you can go with a crutch. If you are blind, there is somebody to help you around. For fistula, this is worse. Family, father, brother, mum, they can’t help... I would be ashamed, because when I got up, there might be a […]

The Hamlin Model of Care is the world's leading approach to treating obstetric fistula injuries; treating the physical and psychological trauma of fistula.

The extraordinary medical professionals at Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia have made significant progress over the last few months, despite the enormous challenges they have faced. Their unwavering determination to continue Dr Catherine Hamlin’s work is an inspiration to all. Through the newly developed Treatment Dashboard, Hamlin's Management and Clinical Teams are able to assess the progress […]

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 […]

Prilli Stevens was the Chief Professional Nurse in the Stoma Therapy Unit at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa; she retired in 2005. Prilli first met Dr Catherine Hamlin in 1995. Below is the second instalment of Prilli Stevens’ account of working with Hamlin’s Stoma Therapy team at the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital. The plight of young women […]

“To send women home to experience a normal life, after all they have suffered, is the greatest reward we can have.” - Dr Catherine Hamlin Rehabilitation Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia’s Rehabilitation and Reintegration centre, Desta Mender, embodies the Hamlin Model of Care, which is grounded in a fundamental respect for women with obstetric fistula injuries and […]

“My dream is for a midwife in every village of Ethiopia.” - Dr Catherine Hamlin Prevention In Program Year 2020, Hamlin Midwives continued to prevent obstetric fistula and hundreds of maternal and neonatal deaths. They also support, nurture and empower women while sharing invaluable knowledge and building trusting networks, transforming entire communities in rural Ethiopia. […]