Obstetric fistula is an avoidable but terrible injury that happens when a baby becomes stuck in the birth canal during a prolonged labor. Cells are destroyed by the pressure from the baby’s body. As a result, a hole is formed, causing incontinence. Injuries often result in other complications, such as partial or complete paralysis of the legs. Dr. Catherine Hamlin founded the Hamlin Fistula Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in 1974. It remains the only hospital in the world dedicated to curing obstetric fistulas. “Kedija” and “Robe” are from the Bale Mountains region, where they are just one village apart. They had never met until they came to the clinic. Now they are inseparable. They have been through a tremendous amount of heartbreak and suffering: Each lost a baby from the effects of fistula and for over four years faced humiliation, indignity, and isolation before being treated at the Hamlin Fistula Hospital.
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Obstetric fistula is an avoidable but terrible injury that happens when a baby becomes stuck in the birth canal during a prolonged labor. Cells are destroyed by the pressure from the baby’s body. As a result, a hole is formed, causing incontinence. Injuries often result in other complications, such as partial or complete paralysis of the legs.
Dr. Catherine Hamlin founded the Hamlin Fistula Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in 1974. It remains the only hospital in the world dedicated to curing obstetric fistulas.
“Kedija” and “Robe” are from the Bale Mountains region, where they are just one village apart. They had never met until they came to the clinic. Now they are inseparable. They have been through a tremendous amount of heartbreak and suffering: Each lost a baby from the effects of fistula and for over four years faced humiliation, indignity, and isolation before being treated at the Hamlin Fistula Hospital.
