Drs Reg and Catherine Hamlin
Dr Reg Hamlin (a Kiwi from Napier) and his wife Dr Catherine (from Sydney Australian) travelled to Ethiopia for the first time in 1959 to establish a training school for midwives.
On the evening of their arrival in Ethiopia, a fellow gynaecologist told them, “The fistula patients will break your hearts.” And they did.
Dr Catherine said, “We were touched and appalled by the sadness of our first fistula patient: a beautiful young woman in urine-soaked ragged clothes, sitting alone in our outpatients’ department, away from the other waiting patients. We knew she was more in need than any of the others. And so, we saw the first of many fistula patients.”
The Hamlins had never seen an obstetric fistula case before, and there was little or no treatment available in Ethiopia. Dr Catherine and Dr Reg refused to turn their backs on the women of Ethiopia and their plight. Instead, they committed their lives to improving maternal health for the women of Ethiopia, and worked through military unrest, famine and civil war to dramatically transform the maternal healthcare landscape in the country they called home.
Drs Catherine and Reg refined the surgical technique to repair obstetric fistula injuries, and fundraised to open the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital in 1974.
Dr Reg worked at the hospital until he died in 1993. Dr Catherine, two-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee and ‘the Saint of Addis Ababa’, lived on the grounds of the hospital until her death in 2020, at age 96. Catherine was buried alongside Reg in the British War Graves Cemetery in Addis Ababa, the capital of the country they had called home for most of their lives.
More than 60,000 patients were treated during their lifetimes.
No one else has done as much to eradicate this preventable crippling condition and in doing so empower women to take back their lives.
Hamlin Today
Dr Catherine planned for their work to continue long after she and Reg were gone.
Today, Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia comprises Hamlin’s Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital, five Hamlin regional fistula hospitals, the Hamlin College of Midwives, the Hamlin Rehabilitation and Reintegration Centre, Desta Mender (‘Joy Village’) and over 90 remote rural Hamlin Midwifery Centres. Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia is fully staffed by over 600 Ethiopian professionals – many of whom were trained by Catherine – and who continue the Hamlin's’ work.
Neither of them ever sought accolades or acknowledgment. Both were humbled and grateful for the support of New Zealand donors to continue to fund this important work.
Hamlin Fistula New Zealand is part of a family of Hamlin charities, with others located in Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States of America and The Netherlands.
Join us in continuing Dr Reg and Dr Catherine’s incredible legacy.
“We are facing a challenge – a challenge at the beginning of this 21st century. We stand now, as it were, at a gate - a gate open at last to reveal thousands of young women all over the Developing World, with their hands out to us begging for help. Let us together raise the needed funds, build the needed hospitals and most importantly train the needed fistula surgeons and nursing staff.”
- Dr Catherine Hamlin from her UN Population Award Acceptance speech in 2004
HFE Board & CEO
The Board and CEO of Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia is responsible for providing strategic direction and governance for the operational activities within Ethiopia and ensuring the legacy of Drs Reg and Catherine Hamlin lives on.
Dr Mengistu Asnake
Chair, Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia
Dr Mengistu has a medical degree from Gondar College of Medical Sciences and a master’s in public health from Addis Ababa University. He is a Public Health specialist with more than 35 years of experience in reproductive health, primary health care, child survival, community health services, program management, research and clinical service delivery. He served as the president of the Ethiopian public health Association (EPHA) from 2006-2009 and as a vice president and president for the World Federation of Public Health Association (WFPHA) from 2012-2016. Mengistu currently serves as the senior country director of Pathfinder International in Ethiopia. Pathfinder is one of the largest maternal health NGOs in the world and their program in Ethiopia is extensive. Mengistu was appointed to the Board of Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia in 2015.
Dr Yigeremu Abebe Asemere
Deputy Chair & Director, Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia
Dr Yigeremu has a medical degree and a postgraduate diploma in internal medicine from the Addis Ababa University. He worked as a general practitioner whilst completing his postgraduate diploma. In 2006 Dr Yirgeremu was appointed the Country Director in Ethiopia for the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) leading a large program to combat HIV/AIDS and other preventable and treatable diseases in Ethiopia. He recently retired from that position. Yigeremu was appointed to the Board of Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia in 2015.
Dr Kebede Worku
Director, Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia
Dr Kebede Worku has a medical degree from Addis Ababa University and a strong background in Public Health programmatic and operational leadership. He is Senior Advisor to the Ethiopian Minister of Health. He was previously the State Minister for Health for Ethiopia and has previously served as a member of the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB & Malaria; Chairperson of the African Constituency Bureau of the Global Fund, Chairperson of Tikur Anbessa Hospital (Black Lion Hospital), Chairperson of Ethiopia’s national Nutrition Coordination Body and he oversaw development and execution of Ethiopia’s national HIV prevention and control program. Kebede was appointed to the Board of Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia in 2021.
Dr Mahlet Yigeramu Gebremariam
Director, Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia
Dr Mahlet Yigeremu Gebremariam is Consultant Specialist in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University. She was previously Dean of School of Medicine Addis Ababa University and CEO of Tikur Anbessa Hospital (Black Lion Hospital). She is a dedicated advocate and researcher for sexual and reproductive health and rights. Mahlet was appointed to the Board of Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia in 2021.
Ato Jemal Kassaw
Director, Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia
Ato Jemal Kassaw is Ethiopia Country Representative, EngenderHealth and has worked with the organisation for 16 years. He was previously HIV/AIDS Program Coordinator and Health and Nutrition Advisory to Canadian Physicians for Aid and Relief and he has served as Chair of the Board for the Consortium of Reproductive Health Associations (CORHA) and on the boards and advisory councils of a number of public health associations and advocates for gender equity and sexual and reproductive health and rights. Jemal was appointed to the Board of Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia in 2021.
Tadelech Shiferaw
Director, Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia
Ms Tadelech Shiferaw is the Director of International Banking at Enat Bank S.C. in Ethiopia. Enat Bank S.C. was established by 11 visionary women to empower women financially. Previously, Tadelech’s previous roles were in banking and risk management in Ethiopia. Tadelech holds a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from Addis Ababa University and a Master of Business Administration from Rift Valley University. Tadelech was appointed to the Board of Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia in 2021.
Solomon Abebe Addis
General Manager, Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia
Solomon Abebe Addis is an accomplished leader with over 20 years of experience in international development and public health. His career spans roles within the United Nations, as well as international and local NGOs, where he has driven impactful programs in community development and health. Solomon was honoured as one of the 10 World Maternal Health Young Champions of 2013 by the Harvard School of Public Health and the Institute of International Education. His academic background includes a BA in Sociology, followed by Master’s degrees in both Management and International Relations. He is currently a PhD Candidate in Development Studies, having recently finalised his doctoral thesis. In addition to his professional and academic achievements, Solomon is a creative author who has published two novels in both Amharic and English.
Dr Biniyam Sirak
Medical Director and Surgeon, Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia
Dr Sirak oversees clinical operations at Hamlin’s Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital and five regional fistula hospitals across Ethiopia. For the past over 15 years, Dr Biniyam Sirak has worked as a doctor, specialising in Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Urogynaecology. His expertise has led him to teach Gynaecology at a tertiary level and is now a Urogynecology fellow. A talented medical professional, Biniyam was drawn to working with Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia due to its best-practice maternal care.
Mamitu Gashe
Surgeon, Hamlin’s Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital
Mamitu Gashe is Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia’s longest standing Fistula Surgeon. A former patient, Mamitu trained under Drs Catherine and Reg Hamlin. In 1989, along with Drs Reg and Catherine Hamlin, Mamitu won the Gold Medal for surgery from the Royal College of Surgeons in London. In 2000, she began travelling to spread the Hamlin Model of Care in obstetric fistula treatment across the world. Today, Mamitu continues to work alongside other surgeons at Hamlin’s Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital.
Dr Anteneh Dirar
Dean of the Hamlin College of Midwives
Dr. Anteneh is the Dean of Hamlin College of Midwives, where he also serves as an Assistant Professor. He holds a BSc degree in Public Health, M.Phil. in Public Health (Reproductive Health), Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education Teaching from Haramaya University, and PhD from Addis Ababa University. His background includes over fifteen years of progressive responsibility in higher education sector including working as lecturer, assistant professor, department head, and program director level.
Ms Tigist Aman
Rehabilitation and Reintegration Manager
Tigist has a BA in Educational Planning and Management and an MA in Educational Leadership and Management from Addis Ababa University. She has 24 years experience working in the humanitarian sector. She has been with Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia since 2009 as adult & non-formal education facilitator & learning coordinator. In her role as Rehabilitation and Reintegration Manager, she has been empowering patients to help them enhance their self-esteem, contribute in their communities and be self-sufficient to escape poverty. Prior to joining Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia, Tigist worked as a teacher and instructor in various private and governmental educational institutions from preschool to college levels.
Ms Konjit Kassahun
Prevention and Project Zero Manager
Konjit joined Hamlin in 2005 and held various clinical roles including serving four years as Matron of Hamlin’s Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital. Konjit holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing and pursuing her Master’s degree in Social Psychology from the Addis Ababa University. Konjit is a passionate advocate for both current graduates of Hamlin College of Midwives and is working to expand the prevention program including overseeing, manage and follow the progress of Project Zero – obstetric fistula eradication program. Besides, Konjit ensure all Hamlin midwives have the support they require to undertake their important work in the government partner health centres.
