Clinical Team
Dr Yeshineh Demerew
Medical Director and Surgeon, Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia
Dr Yeshineh oversees clinical operations at Hamlin’s Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital and five regional fistula hospitals across Ethiopia. He is also a FIGO (The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) certified trainer in Fistula Surgery. He began his career as a general practitioner in 1987 after graduating from the Gondar College of Medical Science. In 1997 he qualified as a specialist in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Addis Ababa University and in 2019 he completed a Senior Fellowship in Urogynecology at Mekele University. Over the last 23 years he has become one of Ethiopia’s most respected Obstetrician-Gynaecologists. He spent 17 years working in hospitals in the Oromia region of Ethiopia including three years at Hamlin’s Metu Fistula Hospital. In 2015 he joined Hamlin’s Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital as an expert Obstetrician-Gynaecologist and Fistula Surgeon.
Sister Tirgalem
Matron, Hamlin’s Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital
Sr. Tirgalem Beyene is the acting matron at Hamlin’s Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital. She has been working at Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia since June 16, 2008. Tirgalem had previously worked at Black Lion Hospital and one of the private hospitals in Addis Ababa before she came to Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia. Tirgalem graduated with her first degree in nursing from St. Paulos Nursing School at Addis Ababa University. Tirgalem wants to see a future Ethiopia free from fistula, maternal and neonatal death and for all Ethiopian women to have safe delivery at the hands of skilled birth attendants.
Mamitu Gashe
Surgeon, Hamlin’s Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital
Mamitu Gashe is Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia’s longest standing Fistula Surgeon. A former patient, Mamitu trained under Drs Catherine and Reg Hamlin. In 1989, along with Drs Reg and Catherine Hamlin, Mamitu won the Gold Medal for surgery from the Royal College of Surgeons in London. In 2000, she began travelling to spread the Hamlin Model of Care in obstetric fistula treatment across the world. Today, Mamitu continues to work alongside other surgeons at Hamlin’s Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital.
Dr Beede Lema
Surgeon, Hamlin’s Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital
Dr Beede Lema is a Urologist and President of the Urology Society of Ethiopia, previously a senior surgeon at Black Lion Hospital. He has also been Head of the Department of Surgery and a Professor at School of Medicine in Addis Ababa University Hospital.
Dr Melaku Abriha
Medical Director and Surgeon, Hamlin’s Mekele Fistula Hospital
Dr Melaku Abriha is a Senior Obstetrician-Gynaecologist and Urogynaecologist with 30 years clinical experience. Dr Melaku has been a valued member of Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia’s Clinical Team for the past 16 years. In 2017 he completed a Senior Fellowship in Urogynecology at Mekele University. He is in charge of Hamlin’s Mekele Fistula Hospital, in the north of Ethiopia.
Dr Biniyam Sirak
Medical Director and Surgeon, Hamlin’s Yirgalem Fistula Hospital
For the past 15 years, Dr Biniyam Sirak has worked as a doctor, specialising in Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Urogynaecology. His expertise has led him to teach Gynaecology at a tertiary level. A talented medical professional, Biniyam was drawn to working with Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia due to its best-practice maternal care. He is currently a final year Urogynecology fellow.
Dr Wondu Belayneh
Surgeon, Hamlin’s Yirgalem Fistula Hospital
Dr Wondu Belayeneh Degina is a fistula surgeon at Hamlin’s Yirgalem Fistula Hospital, he started with Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia in April 2022. Prior to Hamlin, Dr Wondu worked in different Oromia regions and was an Associate Professor at Hawassa University. He studied at Haromaya University. Dr Wondu looks forward to completing a subspeciality and continuing further research work.
Dr Bitew Abebe
Medical Director and Surgeon, Hamlin’s Bahir Dar Fistula Hospital
Dr Bitew Abebe is the Medical Director at Hamlin’s Bahir Dar Fistula Hospital. Dr Bitew joined Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia in 2009, working as a Fistula Surgeon and Urogynaecologist. Prior to working at Hamlin, he studied medicine at the Addis Ababa University and specialised in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Dr Bitew previously worked at the Black Lion Hospital and the Felege Hiwot Referral Teaching Hospital. In 2019 he completed a Senior Fellowship in Urogynecology at Mekele University.
Dr Leta Gedefa Ararsa
Medical Director and Surgeon, Hamlin’s Harar Fistula Hospital
Inspired by the work of Drs Reg and Catherine Hamlin, Dr Leta started working as a Fistula Surgeon at Hamlin’s Harar Fistula Hospital in September 2020. Dr Lete is currently undertaking research topics such as Gender-based Violence, Pelvic Organ Prolapse and Female Genital Mutilation. Prior to Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia, Dr Leta worked at Jagol Hospital and Haromaya University Hospital. He studied at Gondar University and has undertaken training courses with German medical teams on obstetric fistula and pelvic organ prolapse.
Dr Zehara Sualih
Medical Director and Surgeon, Hamlin’s Metu Fistula Hospital
Dr Zehara Sualih is a surgeon and urogynaecologist at Hamlin’s Metu Fistula Hospital. A trained Obstetrician-Gynaecologist, she is a valued member of Hamlin’s Clinical Team. Dr Zehara joined Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia in January 2015, after previously working at the Metu Karl Hospital. She graduated from Gondar University, specialising in Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
Prevention Team
Ms Konjit Kassahun
Dean of the Hamlin College of Midwives & Prevention Manager
In 2021 Konjit was appointed Dean of the Hamlin College of Midwives with responsibility for Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia’s prevention strategy nationally. Konjit joined Hamlin in 2005 and held various clinical roles including serving four years as Matron of Hamlin’s Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital. Konjit holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing and a Master’s in Social Psychology from the Addis Ababa University. Konjit is a passionate advocate for both current students and graduates and is working to expand the prevention program and ensure all Hamlin midwives have the support they need to undertake their important work.
Sister Marit
Vice Dean of the Hamlin College of Midwives
Sister Marit has been at Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia since 2009. Sr Marit holds a Diploma in Comprehensive Nursing, BSc in Midwifery from Addis Ababa University, BA degree in Management at Alfa University and a MSc in Maternity and Reproductive Health from Addis Ababa University. Before joining Hamlin, Sr Marit spent six years working as a nurse and then later worked as a midwife in very remote areas of Ethiopia for over 13 years. Sr Marit plans, coordinates and monitors all academic activities to achieve quality training at the Hamlin College of Midwives.
Rehabilitation Team
Ms Tigist Aman
Rehabilitation & Reintegration Manager
Tigist has a BA in Educational Planning and Management and an MA in Educational Leadership and Management from Addis Ababa University. She has 24 years experience working in the humanitarian sector. She has been with Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia since 2009 as adult & non-formal education facilitator & learning coordinator. In her role as Rehabilitation and Reintegration Manager, she has been empowering patients to help them enhance their self-esteem, contribute in their communities and be self-sufficient to beat-up poverty. Prior to joining Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia, Tigist worked as a teacher and instructor in various private and governmental educational institutions from preschool to college levels.