The Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital is an incredible place where dedicated hospital staff rebuild lives and restore dignity every day. 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. In 2005 it was estimated that 40,000 women were living with a fistula in Ethiopia. At the current rate of 1,200 interventions a year, it would take over 33 years to treat the backlog of patients. To date Ethiopiaid has donated over £2.8m to the organisation which has helped to give back lives to thousands of women, but much more needs to be done.

A high standard of care is offered to patients at the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital. The nurse aides are all ex-patients who, due to the nature of their injuries, have been unable to return to their home towns. The hospital encourages them to regain as much independence as possible and providing them with work is one of the best ways to achieve this.

The hospital trains groups of women who are recovering from their operations, in tailoring skills to help them to find work making dresses and uniforms after returning home. Through this they develop flexible skills and more confidence so they can leave the hospital smiling, assured their futures are bright and full of opportunities.

Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital - A History

The Harar Outreach Centre

Midwifery Training - Prevention is better than cure

The Facts about Fistula

Case Studies

Remember:
• £100 can pay for the operation to treat a Fistula victim.
• £50 will buy medical supplies for the hospital.
• £15 can buy enough food to build one patient up to full strength, so that she can undergo an operation.