ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — The Commissioner for Social Affairs of the African Union Commission (AUC), Mrs. Bience Gawanas and the European Union (EU) Commissioner for Health, Ms. Androulla Vassiliou, on Saturday 04 April 2009, paid a visit to the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital (AAFH) in Ethiopia.

The visit of the two Commissioners to the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital was aimed at raising awareness on the negative effect of early childbirth imposed on the girl child and related injuries. The visit was also an opportunity to suggest possible aid that could be obtained from the European Union to help reinforce the activities of the hospital.

Commissioner Vassiliou noted that the activity of the AAFH is impressive. She expressed the EU willingness to support the hospital’s efforts in strengthening its activities and achieving its goals.

Thus, she said the contribution would be done upon submission of a formal proposal clearly indicating the areas of immediate action.

Dr. Hamlin however informed the two Commissioners that four additional Fistula centers have been opened and are already operational. They are located in the cities of Mekele, Bahirdar, Yirgalem and Harar in Ethiopia. “We are hoping to build the fifth one in Metu soon” she added.

The AAFH is an organization that cares for women with childbirth and related injuries, which was established by Drs. Reginald and Catherin Hamlin in 1974, both Gynecologist-obstetricians to Ethiopia, formerly working at the Princess Tsehai Memorial Hospital from 1959 until the established date of the AAFH. The objective of this hospital is to provide services for those suffering from early childbirth illnesses and related injuries, rehabilitating them to the point where they can be integrated back in to their society in a dignifying manner, while helping them to take care on themselves.

SOURCE : African Union Commission (AUC)