Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia was founded by Drs Reg and Catherine Hamlin. Reg was born in New Zealand and dedicated his life to helping Ethiopian women suffering from an obstetric fistula.
An obstetric fistula is an injury caused by a prolonged and obstructed labour - common in countries where childhood malnutrition leads to smaller bone structures. During birth, a hole is created between the birth canal and the bladder or rectum, leaving the woman incontinent. In 90% of cases, the child is delivered stillborn. Suffering incredible loss, then humiliated and ostracised by their communities for their incontinence, these women are left to survive alone.
Hamlin provides surgical intervention and rehabilitation, along with the training and placement of midwives across rural Ethiopia to improve maternity care access.
Over the past 65 years, Hamlin has treated 70,000+ women suffering from obstetric fistula. Despite this progress, an estimated 31,000 women still suffer from untreated birth injuries, with around 1,000 new cases each year.
The Hamlin network includes the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital, five regional Fistula hospitals, the Desta Mender rehabilitation center, the Hamlin College of Midwives and over 90 Hamlin-supported rural midwifery clinics across Ethiopia.
Join us in making a difference in the lives of these women by supporting Hamlin's vital work.
By donating to Hamlin Fistula New Zealand, you become part of a leading movement, to not only treat fistula and childbirth injuries, but prevent these terrible injuries from occurring in the first place. www.hamlinfistula.org.nz/donate
