The Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital opened in 1974 as the world's first modern medical center dedicated specifically to the treatment of obstetric fistulas. Founded by Australian obstetrician Catherine Hamlin and her husband, Reginald, the facility transformed care for women suffering from chronic childbirth injuries in Ethiopia, eventually expanding to include regional clinics and comprehensive midwifery training programs.
Early Life and Training
Born Elinor Catherine Nicholson in Sydney in 1924, she was raised in the suburb of Ryde. She attended Frensham School in Mittagong before entering the University of Sydney, where she completed her medical education in 1946. Her early professional experience included internships at St Joseph's Hospital in Auburn and St George's Hospital in Kogarah, followed by a residency in obstetrics at Crown Street Women's Hospital. In 1950, she married Reginald Hamlin, a physician who served as the medical superintendent at Crown Street.
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In 1958, the couple responded to a recruitment advertisement placed by the Ethiopian government in The Lancet, seeking specialists to establish a midwifery school at the Princess Tsehai Hospital in Addis Ababa. Upon their arrival in 1959, they encountered a high prevalence of obstetric fistula cases, a condition that had become rare in Australia and the United States. Recognizing the need for specialized care, they spent fifteen years developing the medical infrastructure that culminated in the opening of the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital. Between 2003 and 2010, the project expanded further with the addition of treatment facilities in Bahir Dar, Mekele, Yirgalem, Harar, and Mettu.
Prevention and Rehabilitation Efforts
Beyond surgical intervention, Hamlin focused on the prevention of injuries through the expansion of midwifery services. In 2007, she founded the Hamlin College of Midwives, which provides four-year scholarships leading to a Bachelor of Science degree. Graduates are deployed to rural areas, and the program has since partnered with the Ethiopian government to support 80 clinics. To address the social and recovery needs of long-term patients, she also established Desta Mender, a rehabilitation center located 10 kilometers from the main hospital, which provides literacy, numeracy, and vocational training.
Professional Recognition and Legacy
Throughout her career, Hamlin received numerous accolades, including the Companion of the Order of Australia in 1995 and the Right Livelihood Award in 2009. She authored the book The Hospital by the River: A Story of Hope, which detailed her experiences in Ethiopia. In 2019, at the 60th anniversary of her arrival in the country, she received the Eminent Citizen Award from the Ethiopian government. Hamlin continued to reside on the grounds of the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital until her death in 2020.
Fast facts
- Born: 1924, Sydney
- Died: 2020, Addis Ababa
- Education: University of Sydney, 1946
- Key Institution: Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital
- Right Livelihood Award: 2009
- Companion of the Order of Australia: 1995
Questions readers ask
How many patients were treated by the hospital staff?
The Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital and its five regional branches have treated more than 60,000 women for obstetric fistula.
What was the purpose of the Desta Mender facility?
Opened in 2002, Desta Mender served as a rehabilitation and reintegration center providing vocational training, literacy, and numeracy classes for patients with chronic injuries.
Achievements
- Centenary Medal — 2001
- Member of the Order of Australia — 1983
- Companion of the Order of Australia — 1995
- Held posts at Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital
- Fields: gynaecology and obstetrics
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