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 war in Tigray in northern Ethiopia at the end of 2022, over recent months we have been able to support our team at Mekelle Fistula Hospital to gradually resume services.

The hospital is bringing hope and healing to the heart of northern Ethiopia.

The recent conflict in northern Ethiopia has left a trail of destruction and despair. Families have been displaced, communities fractured, and access to essential healthcare disrupted. Among the most affected were the women in the region, whose access to maternal health services became increasingly limited.

Pregnant women gave birth without medical assistance, and many suffered devastating childbirth injuries including obstetric fistula, while some women endured violent attacks, including rape.

Hamlin Nurse Aid Izuti told us,
“We spent a very difficult time during the conflict. We desperately run to hide from the war jet. We spent the day crying, especially for the fistula patients. It was a very hard time. We were not able to provide proper treatment because of lack of supplies. Fistula patients with follow up used to come to us irrespective of the difficulties to travel. However after noticing the closure they all returned crying with a heavy heart.  There is nothing as heartbreaking as seeing such poor women not getting their life saving treatment.”

At Hamlin, our commitment to women’s health is unwavering. In recent months our headquarters in Addis Ababa re-started sending much needed medical supplies, funds and support for our team of staff, led by Doctor Melaku Abriha. Dr Melaku is a Senior Obstetrician-Gynaecologist and Urogynaecologist with 30 years clinical experience and has been a valued member of Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia’s Clinical Team for the past 16 years.

Services are now being delivered; however the hospital now faces an enormous back-log of patients who are in desperate need of treatment.

We will shortly be in touch with all our supporters to let you know how you can support our work at Mekelle Fistula Hospital and our work to re-build community midwifery services.

In the meantime, you can impact our work across Ethiopia, including Mekele, by donating online today: