Mamitu Gashe
Mamitu Gashe | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Ethiopian |
| Occupation | Surgeon |
| Medical career | |
| Institutions | Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital |
| Sub-specialties | Obstetric fistula |
Mamitu Gashe is a “world-renowned” Ethiopian surgeon who specialises in repairing obstetric fistula, and was named by the BBC in its 100 Women list of 2018. She had decided to become a surgeon after she almost died in childbirth at the age of 16. [1][2]
Suffering from obstetric fistula, Gashed was brought to the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital, founded by husband and wife gynecologists from Australia, Reginald and Catherine Hamlin, that offered free surgery.[3]
After receiving surgery, Gashe helped out by making beds and assisting surgeon Reginald Hamlin. Initially, she would hand him the requested medical implements. After a couple of years she started suturing and then moved on to undertake surgery. Hamlin taught her how to repair fistulas, and she is now regarded as one of the hospital's best fistula surgeons, often training new post-graduate doctors. [4]
The Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital often uses medical staff without formal qualifications.[5]
References
- ^ "I trained to be a surgeon when I couldn't read or write". BBC. Retrieved 2019-07-08.
- ^ Wall, L. Lewis (2018). Tears for My Sisters: The Tragedy of Obstetric Fistula. Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 1421424185.
- ^ Kristof, Nicholas (2005-06-12). "The Illiterate Surgeon". New York Times. Retrieved 2019-07-08.
- ^ Barrowclough, Nikki (2014-10-10). "Catherine Hamlin: Ethiopia's miracle worker". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2019-07-08.
- ^ Kristof, Nicholas; WuDunn, Sheryl (2010). Half The Sky: How to Change the World. Hachette UK. ISBN 074811775X.
External Links
Healing and Hope: Inside the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital Al Jazeera documentary, 2011.
I trained to be a surgeon when I couldn’t read or write BBC Interview with Mamitu Gashe, 16 May 2019