May 21, 2025
Ethiopian State Minister for Health alleges foreign actors involvement in Health professionals movement
Getahun Tsegaye
Staff Reporter
ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA – Ethiopia ’s State Minister of Health, Dr. Dereje Duguma, has issued a warning to healthcare professionals currently participating in a nationwide strike, cautioning that their continued absence from work could lead to the revocation of their professional licenses.
In a televised interview on the national broadcaster ETV, Dr. Dereje stated, “They must return to their duties. Otherwise, it will become increasingly difficult for them to continue practicing—whether in public or private health institutions.”
The strike, primarily driven by demands for improved working conditions and systemic reforms, has seen extensive participation from medical professionals, including residents and physicians in training. While the minister acknowledged that these concerns are not new and have been raised over the years, he insisted that the government has already taken various steps to address them.
“This is not a fresh demand. Some have returned to work in past years, some haven’t. The government has undertaken several reform efforts to tackle the issues,” he said.
He highlighted recent legislation passed by the House of People’s Representatives, which aims to address systemic challenges within the health sector, such as malpractice concerns, unethical profiteering, and ensuring public access to free health services.
Dr. Dereje alleges that the strike impacted emergency services. “Leaving behind children in critical care and mothers in labor is a serious and inexcusable mistake,” he remarked. “The health sector should never be interrupted—not even for a minute.”
He further emphasized that health professionals have made a solemn pledge to serve patients under any circumstances, referencing both medical ethics and international standards. “We entered this profession with the commitment to serve humanity. Our laws and international guidelines affirm that.” Recent report from BBC Amharic highlighted that medical professionals are not breaking any laws. The view is rather that exercising the right to strike is in line with International labour laws that Ethiopia has signed.
The minister also alleges that the strike has been influenced by individuals and groups operating from abroad, some of whom are threatening or discouraging other professionals from returning to work. “There are entities trying to scare or block professionals from resuming their duties. The government will not tolerate such interference.”
According to Dr. Dereje, a number of professionals have already returned to their posts, with some “apologizing and claiming they were misled by external pressures.” He stressed that there is still time “for others to follow suit,” but warned of consequences for those who do not.
The state minister threatened striking professionals highlighting tools the government can use. “The next steps will be both administrative and legal. If they don’t return promptly, maintaining a professional license—especially for residents or interns—will become extremely difficult,” he said.
Efforts are also underway, he noted, to recruit additional professionals and fill urgent gaps in service. In federal hospitals, the government has reported that many facilities are returning to normal operations.
“We’re working toward a system that ensures quality, equity, and accessibility at every level. Dialogue is ongoing. But above all, this must be resolved responsibly and professionally,” Dr. Dereje said.
Ethiopian Health Professionals have been demanding dignity and livable wages for several weeks before they started full strike this week. With Ethiopian currency losing over 100 percent of its value against major currencies like the U.S. dollar following the introduction of new macro-economic policy and market-based exchange rate regime in July 2024, the cost of living has been spiraling up. Ethiopian Doctors complain about unacceptable living conditions including inability to feed their families.
So far the government has reportedly arrested over 78 health professionals across the country in connection with the movement.
Edited by Dimetros Birku
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