Hamlin Fistula UK

Ethiopia is a very large country of 1¼ million square kilometres, about the size of France and Spain combined.  Its road system is not yet developed and that makes it difficult for many patients to get to the main centre in Addis Ababa.  Many patients might find the journey too much of a challenge and too expensive.  Consequently, a programme of 5 Outreach Centres (mini-fistula hospitals) was initiated to make the hospital's skills available to many more women.

Dr Hamlin said of the project:
"We are embarking on the most extensive development program since 1974. We want to be able to cure many more fistula patients and to help this dreadful problem from occurring."

The Outreach Centres are strategically placed around Ethiopia at Bahir Dar, Harar, Mekelle, Metu and Yirga Alem.  See map These centres are now built and fully operational. 

Bahir Dar - Opened in 2005, the centre is about 450 miles from Addis Ababa.  Dr Andrew Browning is the resident doctor and is one of the most skilled fistula surgeons in the world.  He has trained many overseas doctors and has contributed extensively to medical journals on fistula repair.  In this area of Ethiopia girls are often married as young as 7 or 8 and these girls can suffer internal injuries similar to obstetric fistula.  The number of admissions is growing with about 10 new patients arriving daily.

A patient awaiting her operation now that she has been fed a healthy diet for a few days to regain some strength.  They arrive very emaciated.

Harar - Located in the eastern and predominantly Muslim area of Ethiopia, the Harar Hospital’s opening ceremony was Friday, 9 May 2008. Harar is 315 miles from Addis Ababa.  The resident doctor is Dr Yifru Terefe, who specialised in obstetrics and gynaecology after seeing the horrendous injuries women suffer in childbirth.  Working with Dr Hamlin in Addis so impressed him that he asked if he could work in our hospital.

Mekele - The capital of the regional state of Tigray, is in the most northern part of Ethiopia, 465 miles from Addis Ababa.  The centre was opened in February 2006.  The surgeon based here is Dr Melaku Abriha, who trained in Addis with Dr Hamlin.  Tigray has a population of about 4.1 million with only one obstetrician for every 1 million people and one midwife for every 33,700 people.

Metu - Completed in 2010, this centre is 375 miles from Addis.  It is considered a "remote site" as roads are very poor.  It takes 12 hours to drive there and communication and transport are very difficult.  Doctors have been visiting the area on outreach missions and report that many young women are in desperate need of help.  We look forward to changing their lives.

- Watch this space for photos of Metu as they become availale. -

Yirga Alem - Opened in 2006, The UK Trust supports this centre's running costs.  It is 200 miles south of Addis in the Sidamo area, with a population of 14 million.  The resident doctor is Dr Fekade Ayenachew.  In order to reach fistula sufferers, the area's Health Officer has initiated programmes to let them know about the centre.  One of these is advertisements on the local radio and the effect is very positive.  It is a particularly difficult region to work in because it has many cultures and languages.  Patients can feel very isolated when no one can be found to translate for them.  The hospital staff face many challenges here.

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