Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia to be transformed into research center
Addis Ababa, April 8 (WIC) - Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia, a registered Charitable Trust in Ethiopia, is to transform itself into the first Obstetric Fistula research center in the world.Feven Haddis, Public Relations Officer of Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia, told WIC this move would enable the health facility to provide efficient medical care for women obstetric fistulas and reliably alleviate the problem.
The center would further serve as an important source of information for researchers and students of higher learning institutions, namely Addis Ababa, Jimma and Gondar universities.
According to Feven, the institute has already begun activities that enable it to upgrade itself to a research center.
In addition to the medical treatments it gives for obstetric fistula patients, Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia has been providing training on the field to local and overseas trainees, she noted.
With a view to addressing the lack of skilled birth attendants in the country, the Hamlin College of Midwives under the Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia gives free scholarship to 25 Ethiopian students every year, she added.
Hamlin Fistula International has nine facilities all over Ethiopia. In addition to the five referral hospitals it works with, it assists in training public health officers and health extension workers.
Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital alone treats around 3,000 obstetric fistula patients every year. The hospital provides physical and psychological treatments for the patients until they are well enough to rejoin the society.
