Posted on

2022 Christmas Message from our CEO, Helen Marriott

Our founders’, the late pioneering surgeons Dr Catherine Hamlin and Dr Reg Hamlin OBE, extraordinary journey started with an initial three-year posting to Ethiopia. Today, over sixty years later, our work continues to reflect a lifetime quest to provide life-changing treatment to some of the world’s most marginalised women.

Since I joined Hamlin two years ago, I have been blown away by the dedication of our colleagues in Ethiopia, and this year was no different.

Their hard work at five Hamlin hospitals across the country has shown impressive results with 2,584 operations for women with childbirth injures delivered – including surgeries for obstetric fistula, pelvic organ prolapse and other obstetric and gynaecological conditions.

This figure was slightly below our target for the period due to the continuing impact of the pandemic and civil unrest in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region. However, it remained a 50% increase on the previous year’s results and is testament to the hard work and dedication of our team in Ethiopia.

The unwavering commitment of our UK supporters and partners has been vital in making this work possible and changing the lives of so many women.

Dr Biniyam and patients at Yirgalem
Surgeon Dr Biniyam and a group of patients outside Yirgalem Regional Fistula Hospital, which was fully funded by Hamlin Fistula UK.

This has also been a year of highlights for Hamlin and some which stand out for me include:

I would like to thank our Patron, Baroness Tessa Blackstone for her support this year. The Hamlin Fistula UK team were honoured to meet with Baroness Blackstone at the House of Lords in October and we look forward to continuing to work together to raise awareness and tackle preventable childbirth injuries in Ethiopia.  

Looking ahead Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia has set ambitious goals to reach even more women in need in remote and rural areas through expanding our Patient Identification Programme and I look forward to sharing more information with you on this exciting programme in the coming year!

It is your support that makes our work possible. During the 2021-22 financial year you – our UK supporters – helped us raise a fantastic £412,276 for Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia. From marathon running, to cake sales, your generosity and commitment has helped us to achieve this result. A special thank you also to all our knitters across the UK, thanks to their hard work we sent over 2,000 blankets to Ethiopia this year to give each woman that arrives at Hamlin a warm and comforting welcome.

Supporters across the UK have taken on challenges to raise funds for women in Ethiopia

Your support is especially appreciated at this time of increasing economic challenge.

Many of us are feeling the impact of the cost of living crisis and household budgets are stretched. However, the need in Ethiopia is still great with 70% of women giving birth without a midwife present and around 1,000 new fistula injuries each year. None of our vital work could happen without the support of our generous donors, who ensure we can continue to help as many women as possible.

I would like to say a heartfelt thank you for your commitment to helping women in Ethiopia.


Recent News

Welcoming Baroness Blackstone, our new Patron

1st September 2021

Welcoming Baroness Blackstone, our new Patron  We are delighted to introduce you to Hamlin Fistula UK’s new Patron, Baroness Tessa Blackstone. Baroness Blackstone is a leading advocate for…

Remembering our founder: Catherine Hamlin 1924 – 2020

19th March 2020

Dr Catherine HamlinJanuary 24th 1924 – March 18th 2020 It is with deep sadness we share the news of the passing of Dr Catherine Hamlin,…

Christmas appeal – Project Zero: Road Map to a Fistula-Free Ethiopia

28th November 2023

Christmas appeal 2023 launches – Project Zero: Road Map to a Fistula-Free Ethiopia Our Project Zero team in Ethiopia invite you support our Big Give…

Rebuilding Hope: Hamlin’s Mekelle Fistula Hospital in Tigray Reopens its Doors

22nd September 2023

Rebuilding Hope: Hamlin’s Mekelle Fistula Hospital in Tigray Reopens Its Doors In the midst of adversity, hope remains. Following the end of a bitter civil…

Coming soon: Project Zero: Road Map to a Fistula-Free Ethiopia

31st August 2023

Coming soon: Project Zero: Road Map to a Fistula-Free Ethiopia Our Project Zero team in Ethiopia invite you to save the date for the Big…