Dr Catherine Hamlin's dream was to eradicate obstetric fistula forever, so that every woman can be free of these atrocious internal injuries.
Who is Dr Catherine Hamlin?
Dr Catherine Hamlin was a pioneering Australian surgeon whose work for women with obstetric fistula in Ethiopia continued uninterrupted for more than half a century.
Catherine was twice nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize and received numerous international awards and acknowledgements for her work. She was also bestowed with Honorary Ethiopian citizenship by former Prime Minister, Meles Zenawi.
In 2020, Catherine passed away peacefully at her home on the grounds of Hamlin’s Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital, surrounded by the colleagues and patients she had loved for 60 years.
"This place will go on for many, many years until we have eradicated fistula altogether – until every woman in Ethiopia is assured of a safe delivery and a live baby."
– Dr Catherine Hamlin
Continuing Catherine’s Journey to Eradicate Fistula
Under Dr Catherine Hamlin’s pioneering guidance, over 70,000 Ethiopian women have had their lives transformed under the Hamlin Model of Care.
No other woman, or man, has done as much to eradicate this preventable, debilitating condition.
The team at Hamlin is very proud of our achievements to date, but our task is nowhere near complete. Our goal is to increase total life-changing surgeries at Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia to 100,000.
We continue to carry Catherine’s torch and vision. Your support will help continue Catherine’s journey.
Contact us
T: 020 4100 9412
E: info@hamlinfistula.org.nz
W: www.hamlinfistula.org.nz