Chasing Zero: Building Global Support for a Fistula-free Ethiopia 

• Catherine Hamlin Foundation International has formally launched at an event held at the House of Lords in London, marking an important step in building global support for Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia and its work to eradicate obstetric fistula.

• Building on more than 67 years of expertise and Dr Catherine Hamlin’s vision of a fistula-free Ethiopia, Chasing Zero is a global campaign which invites visionary partners and philanthropists to help accelerate a national effort focused on finding women with untreated childbirth injuries, strengthening maternal healthcare and preventing future harm.
• This ambitious initiative is grounded in Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia’s proven model, extensive clinical experience, and deep knowledge of the communities it serves. 

Catherine Hamlin Foundation International was officially launched at a private reception on Thursday 22 October, held by kind permission of Baroness Campbell of Loughborough CBE and hosted by Nigel Brooksby, Chair of the Board of Trustees (pictured).

Guests heard from leaders delivering life-changing maternal healthcare in Ethiopia, alongside messages of support from the Hon. Julia Gillard AC, former Prime Minister of Australia and Chair of Wellcome, and Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization.

The Hon. Jay Weatherill AO, Australian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, H.E. Ambassador Lalisa Berhanu, Deputy Head of the Ethiopian Embassy in London, and Kathy Lette, Australian-British author and commentator, were also among those attending.

Obstetric fistula is a devastating childbirth injury caused by prolonged, obstructed labour without timely medical intervention, such as an emergency caesarean delivery. It can leave women incontinent of urine or faeces — or both in the case of a double fistula.

Alongside the physical consequences, many women face stigma, rejection and isolation, resulting in profound psychological trauma. Although virtually unheard of in countries such as the United Kingdom, where emergency obstetric care is widely available, an estimated 1,000 new cases occur each year in Ethiopia. Yet obstetric fistula is both preventable and treatable.

At the centre of Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia’s response is Project Zero, a national program working across the breadth of Ethiopia to identify women living with untreated childbirth injuries, connect them to life-changing care and prevent future harm through stronger rural maternal health services and community education.

Nigel Brooksby said the UK launch marked an important step in building the international partnerships needed to accelerate this work. 

“Few organisations have Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia’s depth of experience, trusted infrastructure and proven ability to deliver lasting change for women.”

For more than 67 years, Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia has provided specialist care for women living with obstetric fistula and other childbirth injuries. More than 82,000 women have received treatment through Hamlin’s network.

Today, the organisation operates six specialist hospitals, Desta Mender, Hamlin’s rehabilitation and reintegration centre, the Hamlin College of Midwives and more than 90 rural Hamlin-supported midwifery clinics.

Catherine Hamlin Foundation International provides a direct and accountable route for international supporters to back Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia, with no intermediaries and clear reporting supported by decades of clinical experience, data and evidence-driven review.

“Through Chasing Zero, we are inviting people around the world to help advance one of Ethiopia’s most ambitious maternal health goals: ending obstetric fistula for good,” Nigel said.

Dr Catherine Hamlin believed a fistula-free Ethiopia was possible. Today, the experience, infrastructure and national strategy are in place to take that ambition further.

Chasing Zero is bringing together the investment and partnerships needed to reach women still waiting for treatment, strengthen maternal healthcare and help prevent future generations from suffering the same devastating injury.

For philanthropists and partners, this is an opportunity to back a proven Ethiopian-led organisation at a pivotal moment — and help accelerate progress towards a goal once considered impossible.

As Nigel said: “No woman should suffer a preventable and treatable childbirth injury in the 21st century. We know what needs to be done, and Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia has the experience and infrastructure to do it.

“With committed international partners beside us, a fistula-free Ethiopia is within reach.”

Help shape the next chapter of Dr Catherine Hamlin’s legacy.