Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia (HFE) under its Hamlin College of Midwives (HCM) has contributed highly skilled 25 female midwives to the country’s maternal healthcare service on July 14,, 2019 at the graduation ceremony held inside the college compound. The college has selected the students based on national standard for higher education and offered a free midwifery scholarship, a four-year training at BSc degree level.
On his opening remark, Ato Zelalem Belete, Dean of the College and HFE Prevention Program manager, congratulated the graduates and families, and said, “Today is just the beginning of the long journey in your professional career and your graduation day is the preparation stage to fight against obstetric fistula and other birth related injuries with the skills, knowledge the college equipped you with. Now it is your turn to give back. Go and prove you are from Hamlin College of Midwives known for quality service for rural mothers. I am confident, like your seniors, you maintain the leadership role in midwifery service at your respective government health centers you will be assigned to. I promise we will always be on your side in supporting your professional service on the spot. Wish you all the best.”
While congratulating the graduates, instructors and the families, Ato Tesfaye Mamo , CEO of HFE, on his part, said, “All the graduates so far including you are our proud. At every corner of the nation, Hamlin graduated midwives are known for their high skills and quality services. You shouldered the responsibility of maintaining Hamlin’s brand in midwifery service and I hope you will succeed.”
Dr Mengistu Asnake, HFE Board member, also congratulated the graduates. “Saving a mother’s life is not just saving one individual. It is rather helping the continuity of a family, community and generation. You are lucky in constructing a generation because you are midwives, a profession decisive in the nation’s maternal healthcare service. Wish you a successful professional career,” he said.
These 25 graduates will soon be deployed to rural government clinics back in their communities. Since 2007 the college has graduated a total of 170 highly skilled midwives who are playing a very important role in improving maternal healthcare service in rural Ethiopia. The number of Hamlin supported government clinics where these midwives are working also raised to 66 across the country.
Diplomats, Higher officials, HFE Board members, HFE management team, staff, families and the college community were in attendance at the graduation ceremony.
