Earlier this year, Solomon Abebe Addis joined Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia as General Manager. He brings extensive leadership experience across international development and public health, including senior roles with the United Nations, and was named one of the 10 World Maternal Health Young Champions by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the Institute of International Education.
With a BA in Sociology and Master’s degrees in Management and International Relations, Solomon is currently a PhD Candidate in Development Studies, having recently finalised his doctoral thesis. He is also a published author, with two novels released in both Amharic and English.
After two months in the role, we sat down with Solomon to learn more about what drew him to Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia, the priorities shaping his first year, and his hopes for improving maternal health outcomes for women across Ethiopia.
As General Manager of Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia, what are your three priorities for the coming year?
My first priority is to honour and sustain the legacy of Drs Catherine and Reg Hamlin, ensuring that compassion and clinical excellence remain at the heart of everything we do.
Second, I want to build on the strengths of the organisation and our people so that we are well placed for the future. That means becoming more resilient, more efficient and better able to reach women who need our care.
Finally, I am focused on expanding our impact, particularly through prevention and early treatment, so that fewer women suffer childbirth injuries in the first place.
Why did you want to work for Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia?
For me, joining Hamlin is deeply personal. I was drawn to the organisation’s unwavering commitment to restoring the dignity of women.
Obstetric fistula is not only a medical condition. It can affect every part of a woman’s life — her health, her confidence, her place in society and her future. To be part of an organisation that not only provides treatment, but also helps restore hope and opportunity, is incredibly meaningful to me.
Were you familiar with Dr Catherine’s work before joining Hamlin?
Yes. Through my work in maternal health initiatives and research in Ethiopia, I had long been aware of Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia and the extraordinary legacy of Dr Catherine Hamlin.
Dr Catherine is a global inspiration, not only for her surgical skill, but for her lifelong commitment to women who are too often forgotten. Her work has shaped the way many of us think about compassionate, patient-centred care.
What are the greatest obstacles Ethiopian women face in receiving quality maternal care?
Distance and awareness are two of the biggest challenges, especially for women living in rural areas. Many live far from health facilities and are unable to reach skilled care during pregnancy and childbirth. Poor transport infrastructure and the financial pressures faced by families can make that journey even harder.
There is also limited awareness about the importance of antenatal care and safe delivery. Many women do not realise that giving birth in a health facility can greatly reduce the risk of complications such as prolonged or obstructed labour.
What are the solutions, and how can Hamlin help?
The solutions must be comprehensive. At Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia, prevention is a major focus, including through initiatives like Project Zero, which works to eliminate fistula at the community level. We also invest in training midwives through the Hamlin College of Midwives, helping ensure that skilled professionals are available in rural areas where they are needed most.
And when childbirth injuries do occur, we provide free treatment and long-term support. Our rehabilitation and reintegration centre, Desta Mender, also helps women regain confidence, rebuild their lives and look to the future with hope.
Can you tell us something about Ethiopia that people may not know?
Ethiopia is a country rich in culture, history and tradition. One fact that often surprises people is that Ethiopia follows its own calendar. The Ethiopian calendar is around seven to eight years behind the Gregorian calendar, so when you visit Ethiopia, you become seven or eight years younger. I always say it is a wonderful place to come and meet your younger self.
The Ethiopian calendar is around seven to eight years behind the Gregorian calendar, so when you visit Ethiopia, you become seven or eight years younger. I always say it is a wonderful place to come and meet your younger self.
- Solomon Abebe Addis
