Hamlin Fistula UK

A patient arriving at the hospital in rags, in a confused and anxious state accompanied by her brother. Her husband has probably abandoned her.

(Read more about this lady's story)

• Universally, 5% of all pregnant women have complications in labour. In Europe and the USA, where proper medical facilities are available, these women are usually adequately treated.
   

• In Ethiopia, and large parts of Africa and other parts of the world where there are inadequate medical facilities, these women have a difficult, or perhaps an obstructed labour, maybe for days, leading to a stillborn child, which causes a vaginal fistula (a hole) in the bladder, rectum or in the worst cases, in both, leaving them incontinent in one or two respects. It is lifelong, and untreated, the woman becomes an outcast in her society because of her offensive smell.

Dr Hamlin with a patient who has just arrived.

• A human problem on a large scale due to two main factors:
   

  • Lack of medical/antenatal care and trained doctors in this field and the associated medical facilities; and
     

  • The dramatic terrain in Ethiopia which makes communication difficult.  75% of the population lives, on average, two and a half days' walk from an all-weather road.

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