News Archive - December 2005

Dear Friends in Australia,

I am in England at present and have been here for the last two months, but wish to pass on to you the most up to date news from the Hospital.

I have heard good reports of all the activities there, especially from our new C.E.O. Mark Bennett. We are so fortunate and thankful to have him in charge. I am looking forward to working with him, and meeting again his wife and delightful children. They arrived in our rainy season, which is so very different from Egypt, where they worked previously.

Here in the UK, I have been awarded another honorary degree. This is all due to the good work of our hospital and its staff. I am just the recipient and grateful for the exposure this brings to our Medical Cause that is affecting thousands and thousands of young lives all over the Developing World. The degree was an honorary F.R.C.S. (Ed) and was conferred on me at a most impressive and ancient ceremony in Edinburgh on July 1st.

It is the oldest Surgical College in the UK and was also celebrating its 500th Anniversary. There were special guests present, His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh and the Secretary General of the UN, Mr Kofi Annan. They both received Awards from the College, and made good speeches. The Duke's speech was especially witty and displayed unusual knowledge about early surgical practises. We were all amused!

My stay has stretched out longer than expected. I have had various blood tests and an operation was necessary. This went well and I am making a quick and good recovery. I have further appointments with the doctor, and will soon know when I can book my return flight. I want to thank many of you who wrote cards or sent flowers from Australia while I was in hospital. I was deeply touched by your love and concern for me. Thank you too for your prayers. God swiftly and wonderfully answered them. So I feel He has something more for me to do in Ethiopia for these injured mothers.

With my greetings and love.

(Dr.) Catherine Hamlin

Report on the Fistula Problem
Pregnancy and childbirth, in under-developed countries, presents a far greater risk to women. In our society, medical help is readily available. The shortage of doctors and hospitals in countries like Ethiopia, mean that if a woman has difficulty or obstruction in labour, without help, she may suffer five or six days labour, only to deliver a dead child.

Then she may find that the prolonged, obstructed labour has caused severe damage to the birth passage, resulting in a hole (or fistula) being made in the bladder and possibly the rectum as well. She becomes incontinent of urine and faeces and so has a constant and offensive smell. She becomes an outcast from her husband, family and friends.

The World Health Organisation estimates that in Ethiopia, between 8,000 and 9,000 women suffer this plight each year.

Report on the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital

The Management of the Hospital
The Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital is owned and controlled by an independent Board of five Trustees. The Trustees are Ato Tekalign Gedamu, a banker (Chairman); Dr Catherine Hamlin AC; Mr Geoffrey Wetherill, a businessman who has lived and worked in Ethiopia most of his life; Ato Nardos Lemma, a barrister; and Mr Richard Nerurkar, a businessman. The registered name of the Ethiopian Trust is "The Hamlin Fistula® Welfare and Research Trust". It is a registered Charity. All patients are treated free of charge. The Hospital has an International standing. It maintains a high standard of excellence and is highly regarded by the Ethiopian Ministry of Health.

Staff
As well as Dr Catherine Hamlin and Mamitu, there are five other surgeons. They are Dr Ambaye Wolde Michael; Dr Mulu Muleta; Dr Hailegiorgis; Dr Biruk Tafesse and Dr Andrew Browning from Sydney, Australia.

The Hospital has a Matron,10 full time day Nursing sisters and 7 night sisters, with 55 trained nursing aides who were fistula patients. There is a pharmacist and pathology staff.

The business affairs of the Hospital are under the direction of the CEO from Australia, Mr Mark Bennett, who works in closely with the Ato Abebe Gesit and Sister Ruth Kennedy, Liaison Officer.

Finances are controlled by a skilled and capable Financial Manager, Mrs Genet Kifle and her assistants. There are the receptionists; kitchen staff; cleaners; drivers; guards; and various ground and maintenance staff. In all about 100 employees.

The Hospital's buildings
Over the last ten years, our Australian Fund has fulfilled a major role in assisting the Hospital to finance most of its rebuilding program. In 1997-8 the whole of the Hospital's building complex was refurbished and extended at a cost of A$2.6m.

Since then, a number of other buildings have been constructed. Our Fund paid for the construction of a further Hostel/ward which was built in 2003 for 30 more patients at a cost of A$370,000.

Another accommodation block 'The Oprah Winfrey Centre', funded by the Hamlin USA Partners, was built this year. It consists of a classroom for teaching nursing aides, two clinics, store rooms and offices.

In order to assist the 'Outreach Program' a store for medical supplies, with an office for the supervisor was built last year. The Supervisor, Solomon, monitors the supplies and is overseeing the development of the new centres.

Training local Obstetricians and overseas' doctors
The training program has been extended and now covers many facets.

• The primary emphasis is still on the training of graduates from the Addis Ababa University. In this last year 27 doctors specialising in Obstetrics, each spent two months working at the Fistula Hospital receiving training in fistula surgery. They are on call at nights as well.
• A further 10 doctors from other underdeveloped countries, each spent one month, living at the Hospital and had training in fistula surgery. Fifteen more doctors each spent two weeks at the Hospital as observers.
• The training and teaching of nursing aides, and others for nursing fistula patients, is an ongoing program.

Prevention program
The Hospital is involved in assisting with 'Safe-motherhood' courses and other programs in an effort to help prevent obstetric fistulae occurring. Solomon (the Coordinator of the Outreach Centres) has been teaching and raising awareness around Bahr Dar. The teaching video, about obstetric fistulae, is in use and sessions going to air on the radio. Leaflets also have been produced and are being distributed around the country in the three main languages.

Report from the CEO, Mr Mark Bennett
It is now two months since my arrival in Ethiopia and I am pleased to report that I have had a wonderful introduction to the hospital and the country. Although it is the wet season now and each day brings rain and sometimes hail, my days have not been in any way gloomy.

I had a wonderful welcome from Sr Ruth Kennedy and the Ethiopian staff at the hospital, and in a short time I have been made to feel a part of the team. There have been good opportunities to sit with senior staff members and hear of their vision for the future and their attitude to their work. At present Dr Hamlin is still in the UK recovering from surgery and we are looking forward to her return, soon.

My wife Annette and the children arrived during the first week of July and we have settled into our new home. The children are enjoying a new climate and although there is no school at the moment, they are meeting people and are having language lessons in Amharic. We have also made a number of visits to Desta Mender and the horses are becoming more accustomed to being ridden by Annette and the children.

The happiness and the gratitude of the patients during their stay and treatment at the hospital is quite striking. This week I was greeting some of the girls who were waiting for an operation (they are always so happywhen someone shakes their hand and wishes them well). One girl was sitting on a bench, and stood up smiling to shake my hand. As she stood a gush of urine spilled down her legs and onto the ground. She was obviously terribly embarrassed and ashamed as she held tightly onto my hand. I felt so sorry for her humiliation but also felt how wonderful it is for this hospital to be able to restore the dignity of women in this situation.

My role at the hospital is becoming clearer. As our work expands there is a need:

• for systems that will enable us to continue to provide the excellent service that has built the Fistula Hospital's reputation, which is now world renowned.
• to ensure that the resources that we have, our finance and our skills, are put to their best effect.
• for the commitment that we have to training, produces the best possible outcomes.
• for us to continue to work on locating and treating more patients, and
• to use our resources to assist in prevention.

Of course in all that we do, we wish to be ambassadors of our Lord and God as we minister with love to those who are in such great need.

I am excited at this opportunity and the chance to have a role in the future of the hospital. Ethiopia is a beautiful country and the images that are commonly seen of famine and desert, do not tell the whole story of this country that has vast areas of good farming land and beautiful mountains. Recent elections have highlighted the need for stability and development, to ensure that the resources of the country can bring benefits to the majority of the people who live in such terrible poverty. More than 75% of the population are living in the country-side and struggle to make a living from their small plot of land that they farm with poor resources and low output. They have little access to roads and infrastructure, health care or education. The problems of maternal health and Fistula are but one issue amongst many that people struggle with.

Please pray for Ethiopia and the part that the Fistula hospital can play to bring hope to the lives of women and families that struggle in ways we could not imagine.

Two extra ways in which you can help the Hospital!
Show our Video to a group, or friends. We will gladly supply you with some brochures and a free copy of our Video 'A Compassionate Vision', if you can show it to a group. Perhaps you may be able to encourage them also to support the work of the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital.

Make a 'Bequest' to the Hospital in your Will. If you would like a suggested wording, please advise us on the 'Donation Slip', or phone 02 9449 6725, or fax 02 9875 3610.

Report on Bahr Dar Centre
Last week, Mark Bennett travelled to Bahr Dar with Dr Andrew Browning and was able to meet with the Director of the hospital where the new Hamlin Fistula Centre is located. He met with the heads of the regional health bureau, the women's affairs and the Orthodox Church, as well as the staff of our centre. The regional hospital where our centre is located is serving a community of more than 7 million people.

Mark was then able to drive into the surrounding countryside, visit a health centre and two smaller rural health posts which are serving people in the surrounding villages. Their limited resources underline how great the need is in Ethiopia. A health centre, like this one, with one doctor and nursing staff may service a community of more than 200,000 and the health posts with two nurses and very limited resources endeavours to meet the daily needs of a community of more than 20,000.

Since the Bahr Dar Fistula Centre was opened 322 patients have been seen in the Outpatients' department and 145 have had fistula surgery. Dr Andrew Browning has been heavily involved in the patient care and surgical procedures.

The Mayor of Bahr Dar has given a parcel of land to the Fistula Hospital. The land is close to the new Hamlin Bahr Dar Fistula Centre. It is intended to build a Nurses and guests Accommodation block. It is estimated that this will cost approx. A$300,000. The Hospital's Partner Organisation in the USA intends to fund the cost of this building.

Report on the Mekelle Hamlin Fistula Centre
The progress with the construction of the Mekelle building is on schedule. Our Ethiopian architect visits regularly and reports on progress. Our builder, Mr Varnero, is held in high regard for the quality of the workmanship. Our Fund has already made three substantial progress payments in response to the issuing of the Architect's certificate.

It is expected that the building work will be completed by the end of October. Ground improvements and landscaping will then have to be finished.

Surgical equipment and supplies have been ordered from the Hospital's suppliers in the UK. Bedding and other sundries will be supplied locally. The Australian Government (AusAID) has made a generous grant toward this cost. Other gifts have come from Rotary International and other donors. Staff members are being trained at the Fistula Hospital. It will be the end of the year before it is possible to receive patients.

Our own honorary architect, Mr Ridley Smith, will make a detailed architectural inspection of the Centre before the building is completed and we make the final payment.

Report on the Mobile Outreach Teams and other centres.

The Mobile Teams
Dr Hailegiorgis went to Wollega where he was able to do fistula surgery on forty women patients. Dr Biruk has a special interest in the Gondar region where he did his University studies. Recently, he was able to do fistula surgery on a number of patients in Gondar University Hospital. Dr Andrew Browning has recently been to Uganda and Sierra Leone to operate on a number of patients. Dr Ambaye went to Northern Kenya to do fistula surgery on another forty patients. This is now the third time that Dr Ambaye has been to Lokichokio where the International Red Cross has a hospital. Many of the patients are brought in from Southern Sudan suffering extensive childbirth injuries.

The Other Outreach Centres
Yirgalem Fistula Centre: The building construction of a Centre similar to Mekelle, has commenced. The work has been delayed by rain. This is being funded by the Norwegian aid agency, NORAD.

Harer Fistula Centre: No action has commenced here yet. It will be funded by the Hamlin's USA Partner Organisation.

Metu Fistula Centre: Again, no action has occurred at Metu yet. The Netherlands Trust and the Japanese Embassy have indicated they wish to help finance this project.

Report on the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital

The Management of the Hospital The Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital is owned and controlled by an independent Board of five Trustees. The Trustees are Ato Tekalign Gedamu, a banker (Chairman); Dr Catherine Hamlin AC; Mr Geoffrey Wetherill, a businessman who has lived and worked in Ethiopia most of his life; Ato Nardos Lemma, a barrister; and Mr Richard Nerurkar, a businessman. The registered name of the Ethiopian Trust is "The Hamlin Fistula Welfare and Research Trust". It is a registered Charity. All patients are treated free of charge. The Hospital has an International standing. It maintains a high standard of excellence and is highly regarded by the Ethiopian Ministry of Health.

Staff As well as Dr Catherine Hamlin and Mamitu, there are five other surgeons. They are Dr Ambaye Wolde Michael; Dr Mulu Muleta; Dr Hailegiorgis; Dr Biruk Tafesse and Dr Andrew Browning from Sydney, Australia. The Hospital has a Matron,10 full time day Nursing sisters and 7 night sisters, with 55 trained nursing aides who were fistula patients. There is a pharmacist and pathology staff. The business affairs of the Hospital are under the direction of the CEO from Australia, Mr Mark Bennett, who works in closely with the Ato Abebe Gesit and Sister Ruth Kennedy, Liaison Officer. Finances are controlled by a skilled and capable Financial Manager, Mrs Genet Kifle and her assistants. There are the receptionists; kitchen staff; cleaners; drivers; guards; and various ground and maintenance staff. In all about 100 employees.

The Hospital's buildings
Over the last ten years, our Australian Fund has fulfilled a major role in assisting the Hospital to finance most of its rebuilding program. In 1997-8 the whole of the Hospital's building complex was refurbished and extended at a cost of A$2.6m. Since then, a number of other buildings have been constructed. Our Fund paid for the construction of a further Hostel/ward which was built in 2003 for 30 more patients at a cost of A$370,000. Another accommodation block 'The Oprah Winfrey Centre', funded by the Hamlin USA Partners, was built this year. It consists of a classroom for teaching nursing aides, two clinics, store rooms and offices.

In order to assist the 'Outreach Program' a store for medical supplies, with an office for the supervisor was built last year. The Supervisor, Solomon, monitors the supplies and is overseeing the development of the new centres.

Training local Obstetricians and overseas' doctors
The training program has been extended and now covers many facets. The primary emphasis is still on the training of graduates from the Addis Ababa University. In this last year 27 doctors specialising in Obstetrics, each spent two months working at the Fistula Hospital receiving training in fistula surgery. They are on call at nights as well. A further 10 doctors from other underdeveloped countries, each spent one month, living at the Hospital and had training in fistula surgery. Fifteen more doctors each spent two weeks at the Hospital as observers. The training and teaching of nursing aides, and others for nursing fistula patients, is an ongoing program.

Prevention program
The Hospital is involved in assisting with 'Safe-motherhood' courses and other programs in an effort to help prevent obstetric fistulae occurring. Solomon (the Coordinator of the Outreach Centres) has been teaching and raising awareness around Bahr Dar. The teaching video, about obstetric fistulae, is in use and sessions going to air on the radio. Leaflets also have been produced and are being distributed around the country in the three main languages.

Report on the Desta Mender Village

Background
In 2002 the Rural 'self-help' Village was developed by the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital, to provide ongoing care for fistula patients who cannot be completely cured, and require ongoing medical attention.

Approximately 60 acres of rural land, about 20kms from Addis Ababa, was given to the Hospital by the Ethiopian Government.

From Australia, sufficient money was raised to pay for the cost of building the village. The Village consists of 10 houses, each house accommodates 10 women, so when full, the Village will care for 100 residents. Other buildings were also constructed including a separate kitchen, an informal meeting room, a teaching centre, a physiotherapy unit and a supervisor's residence.

The total cost at that stage was A$2.2m. Since then a barn, a dairy and mill house have been built. Also chicken runs, fencing etc, and extensive landscaping has been completed. The women who are living at Desta Mender wish to have some work to do. They are encouraged to do light work and help in the running of the Village. Milk, eggs and fresh vegetables are produced and are being used at the Village and at the Fistula Hospital.

Teaching program
Ten of the patients are doing third year school work in English, Amharic, Maths and Science. Another group is at second year level. Two patients have learned nursing skills. All go to craft classes where they learn needlework.

The Village Agriculturalist is developing a program to involve more residents in this aspect of village life.

Residents at the Village
At the moment there are 40 women patients resident at the Village. They are under the care of Sister Beletech who 'mothers' them all. She has been joined by a nursing sister, who also helps with community involvement at the Holletta Health Centre.

The Desta Mender Village is fulfilling another very valuable need. Patients 'just arrive' at the Fistula Hospital for treatment. Some need long- term care and intensive physiotherapy before they can have surgery. As many as 24 patients have at times, stayed and been treated at Desta Mender until they can have their operation.

The village is yet to reach its full potential. The objective is to help train and prepare the residents for a life of independence. There have been suggestions for running small business enterprises, including the idea of expanding the agriculture and dairy work, oil mill pressing and possibly dressmaking. They want to encourage 'independence' rather than dependence.

Report from our Australian Fund, 'Hamlin Fistula® Relief and Aid Fund'
The Fund is controlled by the Hamlin Fistula® Welfare and Research Ltd. It is a registered Charity and a not-for-profit Company and exists solely to support the work of the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital. Neither the Directors or Secretary receive any payment. The Manager Stuart Abrahams, and Mrs Ann Flick who looks after the receipting and banking, work in a voluntary capacity. Tony Hirst is helping two days a week as a consultant. Again this year, interest received covered the cost of administration and publicity. This means that every cent, of every dollar that donated, is available for the work of the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital.

During the financial year ended 30th June 2005 we received wide-spread and generous support. The total income from all sources was the best since the Fund was started. Part of this was due to the fact that about 800 free copies of the video 'A Compassionate Vision' were given to donors on the understanding that they show the video to a 'group'. This inspired many new supporters.

Our Australian Fund has made commitments to provide the money needed to cover the full cost of building the new Hamlin Fistula® Centre at Mekelle ($1.2m), together with the equipment and furniture (A$125,000). Then to carry the running costs of the Mekelle Centre for at least 5 years ($120,000pa). It has also made a further commitment to Fund the salary and travel cost of the new CEO Mr Mark Bennett.

All monies received by way of legacies have been forwarded to the Hamlin International Fistula Foundation to earn income to help support the work of the Hospital in future years.

The Fund is extremely grateful for all the assistance received this year, from the Australian Government (AusAID); The Silverton Foundation; Rotary Clubs; the 'Mum's Kick for Kili' project, Schools, and from many individual Clubs and generous donors.

Hear Mr Ridley Smith, our honorary Architect
Speak on the progress and development of the work of the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital and the Mekelle Fistula Centre. He will have just returned from Addis Ababa.

St Thomas' Church Centre McLaren Street North Sydney
8.00pm Thursday 3rd November 2005
Plenty of parking available in parking area from McLaren Street, behind hall.