Autobiography
Hospital by the River, The
by Dr. Catherine Hamlin with John Little
Monarch Books, illustrated, 2004
Hudson Lion, 2005
308 pages
ISBN (UK) 1-85424-673-9
ISBN (USA) 0-8254-6071-9
Synopsis
Australian gynaecologists Catherine and Reg Hamlin arrived in Addis Ababa in 1959 to establish a midwifery school. Over 30 years later, Catherine is still there, running one of the world's most outstanding medical programs. Through this work thousands of Ethiopian women have returned to a normal existence after living as outcasts, often for more than half their lives.
These women endured obstructed labours. As a result of obstructed labour not only does the baby die, but the woman's bladder, vagina or rectum is torn. These tears are called fistulas, and the result is a constant leaking from either the bladder or rectum into the vagina. Soiled and helpless, the women are abandoned by their husbands and often left to beg, or scavenge. The Hamlins dedicated their lives to pioneering new surgery and opening their own fistula hospital in 1974. Now, Catherine writes about their extraordinary lives and the stories of hope and courage that surround their hospital. Her book is a testament to the power of healing, and reveals the hidden suffering of millions of women in developing countries.
Background
When The Hospital by the River: A Story of Hope was first published in Australia in 2001, it became an instant bestseller. To date, it has sold more than 50,000 copies and is now available also in the USA and Britain.
In her tender and candid account of 45 years of service to poor women suffering from obstetric fistula, Dr. Hamlin weaves her own story together with the history of the hospital and that of her adopted country, Ethiopia. The description of the country-side, the details of the Haile Selassie monarchy and the chaos caused by the communist regime are all talked about with a mixture of laughter and tears. The focus at all times throughout this very well-written book is the patient, a young woman denied the right to a safe delivery and suffering the aftermath of an obstructed birth.
Reviews
"The Hospital by the River’ is a deeply moving and disturbing book written by a remarkable woman whom I have had the privilege to know since 1971. Dr. Catherine Hamlin's story of the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital, its staff and injured patients is at the same time a brave account of a fascinating country, rich in culture and scenery but also affected by political turmoil, and her lifelong dedication to the plight of outcast women maimed during childbirth because they are denied the basic human right of access to lifesaving obstetric care."
Barbara E. Kwast PhD FRCOG
Senior Advisor,
Averting Maternal Death and Disability (AMDD)
Columbia University,
New York City
USA
“’Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine you did for me !’
(Matthew 25:40). The thread that runs throughout this compelling true life story is the total commitment of the author and her late husband to the fistula women of Ethiopia. Written with humour and compassion – painting a canvas that enlightens one to the politics and life within Ethiopia through five decades – it is inspirational. The hardships and grim nature of the challenges became opportunities to utilise the talents and gifts so present in all privileged to work at the fistula hospital .Remarkable human beings are all graphically presented to us – and I was completely humbled by the true story and inspired by the ongoing positive outcomes.”
Prilli Stevens
Chief Professional Nurse
Capetown
South Africa
"Can a smile be put back on the face of a young teenage girl who has suffered most horribly in childbirth? One who has leaked urine, causing foul smells and therefore has been ostracised and abandoned even by those close to her? Yes!
In Dr. Catherine Hamlin's story you will meet women of Ethiopia who have been healed and helped towards leading a new and transformed life. The story is inspiring and life-changing. Dr. Hamlin tells of her life and experiences over nearly 50 years in Ethiopia pursuing the cause of fistula injury - a condition not commonly known in the developed world.
Discover how loving commitment to alleviating suffering through childbirth can give a second chance to the poorest of the poor to live a happy life."
Winston and Rae Newman
Canberra
Australia
Catherine's Gift
by Dr. Catherine Hamlin with John Little
Macmillan Australia
ISBN 9781405038829
Synopsis
Dr Catherine Hamlin has been described as a living saint and one of our greatest Australians. Since 1959 she has lived and worked in Ethiopia, helping the victims of fistulas – devastating injuries caused by obstructed labour in childbirth, which condemn women to a lifetime of incapacity and degradation. The surgery she pioneered has helped tens of thousands of sufferers return to normal life after being shunned by their families and communities. The hospitals she has set up in her adopted country now act as teaching centres for obstetricians and surgeons from many developing nations.
Catherine's Gift takes us inside her extraordinary world, following the fate of some of the women who have travelled to Dr Hamlin's hospitals in the hope of a cure for their fistula injuries. It shows us the day-to-day experiences of her incredible staff, and the tireless work of Catherine Hamlin herself.
There are few more inspirational stories than that of Dr Catherine Hamlin, and this book brings her and her work vividly to life.
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Autobiography