Dr. Catherine Hamlin, founder of Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia, has been laid to rest at St Peter and St Paul Catholic Cemetery in Addis Ababa today, March 23, 2020.
Dr. Catherine passed away peacefully at her home in the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital on March 18, 2020 at the age of 96.
Dr. Catherine Hamlin, together with her husband the late Dr. Reg Hamlin, established treatment hospital for women suffering from the debilitating effects of obstetric fistula.
Over the past 61 years, more than 70,000 Ethiopian women have received the life-changing reconstructive surgery for obstetric fistula.
Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed expressed his deep grief over the death of Dr. Catherine. “Ethiopia lost a true gem who dedicated more than sixty years to restoring the dignity of thousands of women,” the Prime Minister tweeted.
President Sahle-Work Zewde said for her part, “Dr Hamlin was a hero who saved more than 70,000 Ethiopian women and girls from obstetric fistula.” She added, “I am confident that the many professionals trained under Dr. Hamlin throughout the years will continue the work she started at the Fistula Hospital she founded.”
