Five Hamlin Regional Fistula Hospitals enable thousands of patients to be treated in rural provinces where health services are limited across Ethiopia.  

Hamlin Fistula UK fully funds the Yirgalem Hamlin Fistula Hospital, situated within the grounds of the regional Yirgalem government hospital in Ethiopia’s southern Sidama region. 

Yirgalem is located 190 miles south of Addis Ababa and has a population of over 14 million. From Addis Ababa the journey takes about five hours by car on a narrow road that traverses the Great Rift Valley. 

It is a region of many cultures and languages so there are many challenges to be faced. Communication can be challenging due to diverse local languages, and translators are not easy to find for the rare dialects of many tribal communities. 

A busy hospital serving the local community

The hospital was opened in November 2006 and is managed by public health professional Mr. Amare Desta. Specialist surgeon Dr Biniyam Sirak leads surgery and two nursing sisters and ten nurses’ aides, trained at the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital, make up the team at the Yirgalem Hamlin Fistula Hospital. Head Nurse Sister Sara and the team of nurses have an unwavering commitment to helping impoverished women in the area.

This year around 399 women like Ayelech, whose story you can read here, will receive life changing surgery at Yirgalem.