In Ethiopia, where half of all women experience childbirth without medical help, a woman in obstructed labor can sustain horrific childbirth injuries like obstetric fistula. She is left incontinent and traumatized. Around 93% of women with this horrific injury also lose their baby.
Yet most fistula injuries can be repaired with a single surgery. Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia’s globally renowned Hamlin Model of Care focuses on repairing a woman’s fistula injury and restoring her dignity and emotional wellbeing.
Record number of surgeries
In 2023, a total of 3,580 surgeries* (almost 300 surgeries a month) were performed at Hamlin’s fistula hospitals, a 38% increase in surgical procedures compared to the previous year. The fistula closure rate was 96%.
Restoring health and dignity
The ongoing commitment and determination of Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia’s clinical team continues to restore the health and dignity of thousands of women like Bekelu.
“We were helpless and hopeless before we came at Emaye’s [Mother, Dr Catherine Hamlin] home. It is here we get treated as a person and get cured.”
- Bekelu, former fistula patient
Treatment for all childbirth injuries
In addition to obstetric fistula treatment, all six Hamlin Hospitals now provide a range of gynaecological treatments to women, including advanced pelvic organ prolapse surgery.
It is estimated that as many as 1 in 4 Ethiopian women experience pelvic organ prolapse which, if left untreated, can result in permanent kidney damage.
Your support means we can restore the health and dignity of Ethiopian women living with childbirth injuries.
Together, we can eradicate obstetric fistula in Ethiopia. Forever.
“I know you would all be touched if you could see them [the patients] in
– Dr Catherine Hamlin
their plight…but to see them go home with a new outlook and on dancing feet gives us all the joy we need to do this work.”
