Fistula Hospital
The Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital is an incredible place where everyday the dedicated hospital staff rebuild lives and restore dignity. All the women who visit the hospital have suffered horrific childbirth injuries – they return home cured, with a new dress and a smile on their face.
The hospital is one of Ethiopiaid's major beneficiaries and we have supported them since 1994. To date Ethiopiaid has donated over £2.2m to the organisation which has helped to give back lives to thousands of women.
Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital – A History
In 1959 Dr Reg and Dr Catherine Hamlin came to Ethiopia to set up midwifery training centre at the Princess Tsehai Hospital in Addis Ababa.
They were touched by the difficulties faced by women with Fistula injuries and were angered by the lack of healthcare and treatment available to them. They began offering surgery and as word spread, more and more women arrived. They started getting into trouble with hospital, as often the patients couldn't pay.
In 1975, the Hamlins opened their own 50 bed hospital which was able to treat approximately 25 women per week. Despite initially denying them any support, the Ethiopian Ministry of Health now provides funding for doctors and some of the nursing staff but the running costs of the hospital still require donations from organisations like Ethiopiaid.
In July 1993 Dr Reg Hamlin sadly passed away but Catherine continues to work and perform surgeries at the hospital in Ethiopia. It is estimated there are 8000 new fistula cases every year of which the Fistula Hospital is able to treat approximately 1500. In order to address this deficit, the hospital also acts as a training institution, with students and medical professionals visiting from around the country to learn the surgical skills required to offer treatment in their practices.
The Hospital also operates a successful outreach programme. Surgical staff visit provincial hospitals and remote villages with equipment to perform operations on site. They teach local doctors and educate villagers about harmful traditional practices and the importance of proper medical care during childbirth.