Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Ms. Christine Lagarde, visited the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital on Friday, December 15, 2017. Upon her arrival at the hospital, she was most cordially welcomed by HE Professor Yifru Berhane, Minister of Health, Dr. Mengistu Asnake, Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia (HFE) Board Member, Dr. Tesfaye Yacob, HFE CEO, and other HFE Management Team and staff members.
Following her tour of the hospital facility, guided by Dr. Fekade Ayenachew, the Medical Director, she met with Dr. Catherine Hamlin, founder of the HFE, and attended a short briefing on the work of the organization by Dr. Tesfaye Yacob.
Speaking at the occasion, she appreciated the tireless effort of Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia in helping women suffering from fistula and underlined that health is one of the top priorities of IMF. “We, at the International Monetary Fund, are trying to help stability from a financial point of view, with prosperity from an economic point of view and we know very well that nothing happens without peace, without health and without education. And if I have to pick and choose the three forces that can help societies, it would be those three. And you’re clearly contributing to the second one yourself and all those you have inspired to join you and contribute to the Hamlin Fistula Hospital.”
His Excellency Proferssor Yifru Berhane thanked Ms. Lagarde for her visit and indicated that Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia is playing the leading role in the fight against fistula.
