An oasis of healing

The Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital was founded in 1974 by Australian obstetrician-gynecologist, Drs. Catherine Hamlin, and her New Zealand born ob-gyn husband, Reginald. The Hospital has restored the lives and hopes of more than 32,000 women who would have otherwise perished or suffered lifelong complications brought on by childbirth injuries, specifically obstetric fistula. Today, the hospital provides free fistula repair surgery to approximately 1,200 women every year and cares for 35 long-term patients. Located in Ethiopia, it is considered the preeminent hospital dedicated exclusively to victims of obstetric fistula. They have developed the model program for fistula treatment worldwide, and have inspired numerous centers throughout the developing world. It is the world center for fistula treatment, long-term care, prevention, and training.

Training doctors from all over the world

Today, all medical students specializing in obstetrics and gynecology in Ethiopia are required to train for two months at Fistula Hospital. So far, more than 100 surgeons from throughout the developing world have received fistula repair surgery training, and the global health community has come to recognize the importance of treating the world's fistula victims.

Long-term care for chronic patients

In recent years the number of long-term patients slowly rose to the point where there was neither enough work for them at the hospital, or enough room to shelter them.  In 2000, the hospital requested and eventually received a grant of approximately 60 acres of land located eight miles from the hospital. There they built Desta Mender (meaning "Village of Joy" in Amharic), a village of ten cottages and two common buildings to house long-term care patients.

Dramatic expansion to help cure many more women and prevent more fistulas

Hamlin Fistula Hospitals has initiated an expansion project to build five mini-fistula hospitals throughout Ethiopia. Three of the mini-hospitals are open in Bahir Dar, Mekele, and Yirgalem; each is expected to treat approximately 400 patients per year.