Every woman is worth giving birth safely and without harm. However, in rural Ethiopia, the lack of access to quality maternity care leaves thousands of women suffering from devastating damage to childbirth, such as obstetric syringe.
What is the obstetric syringe?
One of the worst things that can happen to a woman is a obstetric syringe, an internal injury caused by an unhappy obstacle during childbirth.
The obstetric fistula is caused by a prolonged, inhibited childbirth when a woman does not have access to medical emergency care. During this time, the mother’s sensitive tissues in the birth channel are destroyed while trying to give birth.
This results in a devastating injury – a hole formed between the birth channel and the bladder and/or the rectum that results in the uncontrolled leakage of urine and feces.
Fistula deeply affects a woman’s life. It causes frightening, changing damage to the woman’s body and brings shame, deepening poverty and social rejection.
Tragically, over 90% of women suffering from a obstetric syringe will give birth to a mortal baby, often after an agonizing hidden work that lasted several days.
Survivors often live hidden for years, sometimes decades, without realizing that they can be helped.
“Because of the syringe, I shouted all day and night. My husband questioned why I had this situation and insisted it was my problem, not myself, he married someone else and now he has two children while I lived alone.” – Abebech (formerly a fistula patient picture above)
Founded by New Zealand and the Australian Obstetrician-Genocelologists, DRS Reg and Catherine Hamlin, in the 1960s, Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia is committed to dealing with and preventing birth injuries, restoring health and transforming.
Treatment and rehabilitation that authorizes
For most women, a simple surgery can repair their injury and restore their health and dignity.
The six Hamlin Syringe Hamlin hospitals in Ethiopia recorded a record of 4,272 surgeries in 2024.
“We do not only face a hole in the bladder. We treat the whole patient with love and tender care.” – Dr. Catherine Hamlin AC
Hamlin care model is a top approach to the treatment of syringe and determines how care is provided for the treatment of the whole woman, not just her physical injury.
This approach is based on fundamental respect for the patient as a human being first and a commitment to provide them with comprehensive and compassionate care, as well as to deal with the underlying causes of maternity syringe in its community.
Upon arrival at Hamlin hospital, patients are embraced with tender and love care. They are given nutritious foods, a handmade woven blanket and clean clothes. A custom program is made for every woman who includes diet, surgery, natural therapy, advice and rehabilitation. This life -changing holistic care is provided free of charge thanks to our wonderful donors around the world.
In the Desta Mender (“Joy Village”), the Hamlin Rehabilitation and Reintegration Center, patients receive vocational training, literacy lessons and starting grants to help rebuild their lives.
The story of Sakada
Sakada is 30 years old and lives in the Amhara area of Ethiopia. Earlier this year, she lost a baby and sadness is still written on her face.
Her first baby girl was born healthy and is now eight years old. But her second and third babies were unfortunately mortal.
The birth injuries suffered by Sakada during the obstructed work resulted in incontinence. She felt ashamed and embarrassed because she did not realize that there were other women who were experiencing a similar situation.
When she asked for help at the local hospital, she was reported to the Hamlin syringe Ethiopia. Sakada and her husband walked four hours from their village to the bus stop and traveled over 400 kilometers by bus to reach Addis Ababa Fistula hospital.
“On my way here, I felt optimistic that I could be healed” – Sakada
Going home happy and healthy
Meeting with other women in the hospital with obstetric syringe helped Sakada relax and feel optimistic. He had the surgery in early February. After two weeks of recovery, Sakada had removed her catheter and discovered that the surgery had worked – her obstetric syringe was cured!
On the day she was released from the hospital, her friends gathered around her bed and the entire chamber broke into applause to mark this happy time. Nurse Aid Birchiko, who had taken care of her in her ward, presented a new dress to go home and Hamlin’s blanket.
“I was so happy when they took out the catheter. I’m grateful for all the services provided here. I can’t wait to get home and see my eight -year -old daughter, I hope other women can come here to heal them like me, we must be healthy for our children.” – Sakada
Over the past 65 years, Hamlin Ethiopia fistula has faced 70,000+ women suffering from debilitating injuries.
