Our Impact

For more than six decades, Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia has worked tirelessly to transform maternal healthcare in Ethiopia so that every woman can be free from the most horrific of all childbirth injuries, obstetric fistula.

In 1974, Doctors Catherine and Reg Hamlin opened the world’s first modern-day fistula hospital, recognising the urgent need to provide treatment to Ethiopian women living with the pain, suffering, and social isolation that accompanies obstetric fistula.

Today, the Hamlin healthcare network has grown to include six hospitals, the Desta Mender Rehabilitation Centre, the Hamlin College of Midwives, as well as more than 90 Hamlin-supported midwifery clinics across rural Ethiopia.

The legacy of Catherine Hamlin

Catherine’s impact on maternal healthcare provision in Ethiopia has been nothing short of remarkable:

The Hamlin Model of Care, which combines clinical excellence with compassion, is recognised as the world’s best practice pre and post-operative fistula treatment.
More than 70,000 women from across the breadth of Ethiopia have had their fistula injuries treated, and their health and dignity restored.
The Hamlin healthcare network now offers treatment for Advanced Stage Pelvic Organ Prolapse, with an estimated 1 in 4 Ethiopian women living with this condition.
Every year, over 4,000 surgeries are conducted at Hamlin hospitals.
An average fistula closure rate of more than 90% is achieved.
Since the establishment of the Hamlin College of Midwives, over 270 students have graduated, and the College now offers a postgraduate Masters in Midwifery in addition to its BSc program.

No other woman, or man, has done as much to eradicate this preventable, debilitating condition and give these women back their lives.

Accelerating change for women

Catherine’s vision to eradicate obstetric fistula in Ethiopia continues to be the organisation’s North Star.

In 2023, our ambitious Project Zero initiative was launched which aims to find every one of the estimated 30,000 women living with historical birth injuries, and provide treatment.

At the same time, we are expanding our support to rural midwifery clinics, conducting community awareness on safe birth practices, and training a new generation of midwives.

We are determined to make Catherine’s vision a reality.

Transparent reporting, measurable progress

Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia’s reporting is backed by decades of clinical data, program evidence and regular impact measurement, including comprehensive reviews of current Project Zero interventions.

Every quarter, Hamlin publishes a Treatment Dashboard, providing statistical data on surgeries across each of its six hospitals. Regular updates also track progress across key areas of work, including Hamlin College of Midwives graduations, enrolments in the Women’s Empowerment Program at Desta Mender, and patient identification through Project Zero.

Women's lives, lasting impact

The true impact of Hamlin’s work is seen in the lives of women who have received treatment, care and support after years of suffering. These stories show what is possible when women are found, healed and empowered to rebuild their lives — and why investment in Project Zero can create lasting change for women, families and communities across Ethiopia.

See what Project Zero makes possible