After watching the December 2004 Oprah Winfrey Show program on fistula in Ethiopia and the work of Dr. Catherine Hamlin, then-8th grade student, Samuel Gebru, who was 13-years-old at the time, was motivated to organize youth and raise funds for the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital.
Until 2008, the foundation supported only the work of Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia, founded by Dr. Catherine Hamlin and her late husband Reginald Hamlin.
Medical personnel on the Africa Mercy provide surgeries and health care to treat a wide range of problems, including cleft lip and palate, cataract, crossed eyes (Strabismus), bowed legs (genu varum), burns and burn scars, dental problems and obstetric fistula repair for injuries sustained during childbirth.
Vascular access steal syndrome, a problem related to a surgically created vascular access (fistula) for hemodialysis