Restoring Health and Dignity

The remarkable work at the fistula hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, has helped thousands of women reclaim their lives.

Over 30 years ago the late Dr Reginald Hamlin and his wife, Dr Catherine Hamlin, first became aware of the plight of women suffering from fistulas.

Together these two Australians perfected a surgical technique to repair them and through donations were able to establish a hospital. Since 1974, over 20,000 women have been treated with a high rate of success. The demand for fistula surgery continues to grow.

Dr Catherine Hamlin in the hospital gardens

Earlier this year the newly constructed rural village complex, part of the Addis Abba fistula hospital, was formally opened. Many people attended the official ceremony including the President of Ethiopia, the Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and Australia 's Ambassador to Ethiopia.

Patient in front of new village The new rural village provides a home and supportive community for women suffering incurable fistula problems.

Among Ethiopian women fistula injuries are common, and occur in the bladder and rectum as a result of long and obstructed labour in childbirth.

Patient in front of new village

Very damaged women are sometimes left permanently incontinent and because of this are usually ostracised from their communities. The new rural village has been created especially for these women who can't go home.

new patient with husband 'I had dreamt of one day having a village for these women to live together in community, in some way like the villages they left behind, so that they would in some way feel like citizens of this world again,' said Dr Catherine Hamlin at the opening of 'Desta Mender', the new rural village.

New patient with her husband

Since 1993 the Australian Government has provided assistance to the hospital, most recently towards building costs for the new village. In her speech Dr Catherine Hamlin expressed her 'deep gratitude to the Australian Government for helping us to alleviate the suffering of our beloved patients and to look after them as they deserve.'

See Focus Magazine for more stories on Australian overseas aid.

Photos: Shaleece Haas

2003