How the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital began

Dr Catherine Hamlin AC and the late Dr Reg Hamlin OBE

Catherine Hamlin was born in Sydney Australia and graduated from the University of Sydney in 1946. She met and married Dr Reginald Hamlin when they were both Senior Medical Administrators at Crown Street Women's Hospital, Sydney. In 1958 they answered an ad in a Medical Journal for an obstetrician and gynaecologist to establish a Midwifery School in the General Hospital in Addis Ababa. They then went to Addis Ababa in 1959 on a three year contract with the Ethiopian Government.

Developing surgical techniques for fistula patients in 1960s
The Hamlins soon became aware of the plight of hundreds of "Fistula women". They were profoundly affected by the serious needs of these women, and decided to stay in Addis Ababa and do something to help them. They worked on a procedure pioneered by an American surgeon in the 1850s and were able to develop this delicate surgical technique to successfully repair fistulae caused by obstructed childbirth in 93% of cases.

First Fistula clinic 1961
A fistula clinic was built in the grounds of the Princess Tsehai Hospital to treat patients. In the first year, fistula repairs were carried out on 32 women. By the third year 300 women had been healed. They perfected their surgical procedure. Each operation takes from about one to three hours to perform. As word spread that a cure for this condition was possible more and more patients arrived for surgery. There were not enough beds at the Princess Tsahai hospital to treat them.

The Hamlins decided that they must find a hospital for these "outcast" women, and provide a place that would be a sanctuary and a haven, where they would be welcomed and restored.

1975-1993
Despite two major civil wars and an oppressive regime, about 15,000 fistula patients were treated and cured during this period.

1993
Dr Reg Hamlin OBE died in Ethiopia. Dr Catherine Hamlin pledged herself to continue the work they had started.

1993-1995
When Dr Reg Hamlin OBE died in 1993, there was a need for additional doctors to reside on site. An increasing number of patients were coming for surgery and the hospital buildings needed to be upgraded and extended.

A house for a new resident doctor was built. The Princess Anne Ward, the pathology laboratory and the library were also built. A more intensive program to train doctors and nurses in fistula surgery was commenced.

Mobile medical team established in 1998
Because of the extreme difficulty patients have to reach Addis Ababa, a mobile Medical Team was established, to travel to remote areas of Ethiopia, to do fistula operations in regional hospitals. A land Rover was donated by Rotary Clubs in Australia.

Hospital complex restructuring completed in 1999
The Fistula Hospital building complex was restructured and major extensions were made. A new operating theatre, an x-ray room and physiotherapy centre was built. Accommodation for resident nurses and for overseas doctors in training, were constructed. A bore for water was sunk.

This project was funded by generous donors in Australia and New Zealand with grants and gifts from the Australian Government (AusAID) and Rotary and gifts from other countries.

2001
Dr Andrew Browning from Australia joined the staff at the Hospital.

The self-help Rural Village "Desta Mender" opened in 2003
Desta Mender will accommodate up to 100 patients who cannot be completely cured and will require ongoing medical care.

New 30-bed ward opened in 2004
An additional 30-bed Ward was built in the grounds of the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital.

2005
Oprah Winfrey Clinic was built
After an interview on worldwide television with Dr Catherine Hamlin, monies were donated from America and the clinic built on the grounds of the hospital for doctors rooms and the treatment of out patients.

The first Hamlin Fistula centre at Bahr Dar was completed and opened.

2006
The Hamlin Fistula® Centres at Mekelle and at Yirgalem were opened.