Three fistula patients destitute, rejected..."A life of misery"

After surgery...a new life of hope and dignity

The Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital in Ethiopia, co-founded by Dr Catherine Hamlin AC, treats 2,800 women suffering obstetric fistula every year. This Australian Fund supports this work to help some of the most destitute women outcasts in one of the poorest countries in the world.

BACKGROUND
It is estimated that throughout the world, one woman in every twenty will have difficulty in childbirth. In the 19th Century, the death of both mother and child was not uncommon.

Modern medical care and treatment, with easy access to Hospitals and doctors, has eliminated this threat in our western civilisation.

But this is not so in developing countries. The joy of parenthood is frequently marred in the aftermath of obstructed labour. Days in obstructed labour can cause a hole or fistula to the birth passage, the bladder and sometimes the rectum. As a result, the woman leaks urine constantly. She then has an offensive odour. Her husband will leave her and her family and friends will avoid her.

Many a young girl with fistula injuries has suffered a fate worse than death, experiencing a life of rejection, separation, loneliness and "shame".

In 1959, two Australian doctors Reg and Catherine Hamlin, went to Ethiopia to train midwives. Seeing the plight of these poor women, they became determined to help them.

They developed a delicate surgical technique that, in most cases, will result in a complete cure. Then they built the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital. Since then more than 30,000 women have been treated and cured. The Hospital now trains doctors from other developing countries. The effect of their work is spreading world-wide, restoring new life and dignity of thousands of young women.

To hear more about the work of the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital click here to read an interview with Dr Hamlin with Monica Attard on ABC Sunday.