ABSTRACT
The power of a 'mighty purpose' is exemplified by Dr Catherine Hamlin and her late husband Dr Reg Hamlin and their work to improve the lives of women in Ethiopia; unmoved by the physical dangers of their environment and bound by the great cause of providing compassionate care. Gynaecologists Catherine Hamlin and her husband Reg left Australia in 1959 to travel to Ethiopia where they established the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital. They have successfully operated on tens of thousands of women in Ethiopia. They have also advocated for improving the access of women of all backgrounds for fistula repair and safe maternal care at an international level. Since Dr Reg Hamlin passed away in 1993, Dr Catherine Hamlin has continued to pioneer and teach procedures for obstetric fistula repair to surgeons from around the world. Many of her accomplishments have been achieved during times of war in Ethiopia.
