Celebrating two decades of life-changing care
March 30, 2026
On 7 February, Dr Melaku Abraha, fistula surgeon and Medical Director at Hamlin’s Mekele Fistula Hospital and his team celebrated 20 years of restorative fistula surgery and care.
Dr Solomon Abebe, Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia’s General Manager and Dr Biniyam Sirak, Medical Director of Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia, joined community stakeholders and former fistula patients in recognising the team’s extraordinary work.
Representatives from the Tigray Regional Health Bureau, UNFPA and the Women’s Association of Tigray also attended the celebrations.
Speaking at the celebrations, Dr Melaku noted: "More than 60% of Mekele hospital is green. Most of our patients spend much of their time in the grassy area where they chat with their friends and feel as if they're home.
"This is one of Catherine’s legacies - we have to keep a green area as if she's around us. We’re privileged to be part of her legacy."
Dr Catherine Hamlin was very wise. She opened hospitals very near to the needy women where they can be treated in their own language, culture and merits.
- Dr Melaku
Catherine Hamlin Fistula Foundation acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Elders past, present and emerging throughout Australia and the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Traditional Owners of the land and waterways on which our Australian office is situated. We acknowledge the many ethnic groups in Ethiopia and their ancestral and cultural connection to the land where our work is undertaken.