Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – May 15, 2025 – The Ethiopian Ministry of Health has issued a stern warning to health professionals absent from their duties, declaring such actions illegal and subject to legal repercussions. This follows reports of a limited number of professionals in teaching health colleges and institutions not reporting to work, amid escalating tensions over unresolved grievances. Concurrently, health professionals have announced a full strike effective Monday, May 19, 2025, citing the government’s failure to address their demands and alleging intimidation and arrests.
In a press release today, the Ministry emphasized that healthcare is an essential service that must remain uninterrupted, commending the majority of professionals who continue to provide care despite what it described as misleading social media information. It acknowledged absences in some teaching institutions, attributing them partly to misinformation but condemning deliberate disruptions as violations of professional ethics, humanitarian principles, and Ethiopian law, specifically the Health Service Administration and Control Proclamation 1362/2017, which prohibits strikes in the healthcare sector.
The Ministry urged absent professionals to return to work immediately, reaffirming the government’s commitment to addressing long-term concerns through evidence-based solutions. It assured the public that healthcare facilities remain operational and warned that legal action would be taken against those who persist in striking or instigating unrest.
In contrast, a statement from health professionals, representing over 17,000 signatories, detailed their grievances, including “starvation wages,” unaffordable living costs, and inability to meet basic needs. The professionals claim to have submitted a petition with 12 critical demands to government bodies, granting a 30-day response period that elapsed without acknowledgment. A three-day partial strike, intended to minimize public disruption, also failed to elicit a response, prompting the escalation to a full strike. The professionals allege government intimidation, harassment, and unlawful arrests, asserting that their action is a last resort to secure dignity and survival. They have called for solidarity, particularly from senior physicians, and urged institutions facing aggression to implement the strike immediately.
Ethiopia’s healthcare system has long grappled with challenges, including underfunding, staff shortages, and resource constraints, which have intensified pressures on health professionals. The current dispute reflects deep-seated frustrations over low salaries, rising living costs, and perceived government inaction. The professionals’ petition, reportedly signed by over 17,000 individuals, underscores the scale of discontent, particularly in teaching hospitals and medical colleges.
The government’s stance is rooted in Proclamation 1362/2017, which designates healthcare as an essential service and prohibits strikes, requiring professionals to address grievances through official channels. Past labor disputes in the sector have seen similar tensions, with the government balancing legal enforcement and dialogue. The role of social media in amplifying grievances and counter-narratives has added complexity, with the Ministry citing misinformation as a factor in the absences.
The professionals’ claims of intimidation and arrests, if substantiated, could further escalate tensions, while the government’s threat of legal action risks hardening positions. The announcement of a full strike, set to begin May 19, raises concerns about potential disruptions to healthcare access, particularly for vulnerable populations. Both sides have called for public support, with the professionals urging citizens to hold the government accountable and the Ministry reassuring the public of continued services.
