Ethiopian health professionals have announced a partial strike starting Tuesday, citing poor working conditions, systemic neglect, and lack of government accountability. This marks a critical turning point in the ongoing healthcare crisis in Ethiopia.
Ethiopia’s healthcare system is on the brink of collapse—and now, health professionals across the country are speaking out.
The Ethiopian Health Professionals Movement has officially announced a partial strike starting Tuesday, May 13, 2025, following a 30-day warning given to the government.
The strike is a response to long-standing issues including severe underpayment, overwork, systemic corruption, and a lack of government accountability.
Despite repeated calls for reform, the government has failed to provide any meaningful response. Instead, it has resorted to intimidation—detaining and imprisoning healthcare leaders who advocate for change.
What Services Will Continue During the Partial Strike?
For five days starting Tuesday, only emergency and life-saving services will be provided. These include:
- Adult and Pediatric Intensive Care Units (ICUs)
- Labor and Delivery Rooms
- Adult and Pediatric Emergency Services
- Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU)
All other services—including outpatient visits, elective surgeries, checkups, and scheduled appointments—will be suspended. The public is advised not to visit hospitals for non-emergency issues, as they will not receive services during this period.
What Happens After Five Days?
If the government continues to ignore the demands of health professionals, a full strike will begin on Saturday, May 18, 2025. This means a complete halt of all medical services, even in emergency departments.
No Hidden Political Agenda
The Ethiopian Health Professionals Movement, supported by the Educated Professionals Association, firmly states that there is no hidden political agenda behind the strike.
This is not a political protest, but a call to save a crumbling health system and protect the dignity of healthcare workers. The professionals demand structural reforms, fair compensation, and respect for their rights.
They have also called on politicians and activists to refrain from using this movement for personal or political gain.
A Call to the Public
This message is a direct call from the Ethiopian Health Professionals Movement. The public deserves to know the truth: healthcare workers are exhausted, underpaid, and being silenced. They are taking this step not out of rebellion, but out of desperation and duty to a dying system.
Do not go to public hospitals for non-emergency care starting Tuesday. Support the professionals who have supported you for so long. Stand with them as they fight for a better, more just healthcare system.
Stay informed and share this message to support Ethiopia’s frontline heroes. Follow us for updates on the healthcare movement.
Taken from Ethiopian health professional social media
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