Remembering Dr. Catherine Hamlin (1924-2020)

I was saddened to learn of the death of Dr. Catherine Hamlin on March 18th 2020. Dr. Hamlin was a renowned obstetric fistula surgeon and a revolutionary human being who dedicated her life to giving marginalized women access to the maternal health services they deserve. She was also a great inspiration to my life.

Habiba at Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital in 2012

I first learned about Dr. Hamlin in 2008 around the same time I learned about Anafghat Ayouba and was ultimately introduced to the world of obstetric fistula. As a young advocate, Dr. Hamlin's dedication stuck with me and still serves as a constant reminder of what change can be brought about in the world when we have the desire to address a problem and the discipline to carry out the tedious, and sometimes gruelling everyday tasks, required to make it happen.  

One of my grade 9 English class projects. I used every opportunity I was given in school to share the story of Dr. Hamlin, Anafghat and the problem of obstetric fistula.

In 1958, Dr. Catherine Hamlin and her husband Reginald Hamlin, responded to a call put out by The Lancet medical journal for an obstetrician and gynaecologist in Ethiopia. They left their home country of Australia and took up work at the Princess Tsehai Hospital in Addis Ababa. They had never before seen obstetric fistula. Soon, young girls and older women from the most remote parts of Ethiopia made long journeys across arduous, mountainous terrain to seek treatment. Dr. Reginald Hamlin took to calling them 'the fistula pilgrims.' They dripped urine or feces incessantly and some of them had leaked for decades.

Although, they had planned to stay in Ethiopia only for the duration of their three-year contract with the Princess Tsehai Hospital, the Hamlins remained in Ethiopia for the rest of their lives. In her book, The Hospital by the River, Dr. Hamlin writes, "I believe that Reg and I were guided here [Ethiopia] by God ... The call was uttered long ago, before either of us were born," [p.11]. 

In 1974, the Hamlins founded the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital. Today, it is a leader in obstetric fistula treatment and a site of fistula surgery training excellence.

Outside Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital, Ethiopia, 2012

Dr. Hamlin was unrelenting in her fight to bring an end to obstetric fistula. She once said: "When I die, this place will go on for many, many years until we have eradicated fistula altogether- until every woman in Ethiopia is assured of a safe delivery and a live baby."

As a result of her struggle, today Ethiopia has five obstetric fistula treatment centres strategically located throughout the country, as well as the Hamlin College of Midwives. 

Unfortunately, I was never able to meet Dr. Hamlin, as much as I had longed to. When I visited the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital in 2012, she was away on travel. Still, the facility bore witness to her hard work and sacrifice. I was in awe. My meeting with two young patients, Asris and Emewedat, further compelled me to engage in the combat against obstetric fistula. Dr. Hamlin was a remarkable human being whose love knew no limit. Her legacy will live on forever in my heart and in the hearts of many. Her legacy already lives in the thousands of women and girls she has cured. She led a beautiful life and changed our world for the better. I love and honour you Dr. Hamlin. May you rest peacefully knowing that you were a true vicegerent of God during your time on earth. #ThankYouCatherine 🌸🌸 #EndFistula 🌸🌸🌸

Emewedat and I 2012, Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital