Legendary Australian obstetrician dies in Addis Ababa

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Australian woman, Catherine Hamlin (1924-2020), has died in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. She was 96. With her husband, Dr Reginald Hamlin, she arrived in Ethiopia in 1959 on a three-year contract. Both were gynaecologists and obstetricians. Their compassion and expertise were legendary in the country. Their brief in 1954 was to set up a midwifery school in Addis Ababa. They so loved the people and the country that they remained there for the rest of their lives, dedicating themselves, in particular, to curing women of obstetric fistulas. An obstetric fistula is a hole between the vagina and bladder or rectum. The resulting incontinence leads to social isolation and chronic health problems. The women are shunned and have a great sense of shame. The fistulas occur when a pregnant woman has laboured too long. Pregnancies at a very young age and traditional medical practices contribute to the high incidence of fistulas. The Hamlins had never seen such fistulas before but proceeded to treat some of the simpler cases before moving on to more difficult ones. By 1974, they had established the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital. Catherine sewed surgical gowns and bedsheets herself. The Hamlins refused to leave Ethiopia even when it became very unsafe. According to the World Health Organisation, between 50,000 and 100,000 women worldwide are affected annually. Thankfully, there are now ways to correct the condition and allow these unfortunate women to return to a more normal life.