Ethiopia is currently grappling with a severe healthcare crisis as thousands of medical professionals across the country have gone on strike, demanding improved wages, better working conditions, and prompt payment of overdue salaries. The partial strike, which began on May 13, 2025, has led to widespread disruptions in public hospitals, with many essential medical services suspended.
While the full-fledged strike started as of May 19, 2025.
The Ethiopian Health Professionals Association (EHPA) has confirmed that the strike involves healthcare workers from various regions, including Addis Ababa city as well as, Tigray, Oromia, and Amhara regions. At the core of the strike are demands for a salary increase, hazard pay, and a reduction in work hours. The protesting doctors have also called for the government to address long-standing issues related to underfunding and inadequate resources in the country’s healthcare system.
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One of the key demands from the striking doctors is a monthly salary of approximately USD 85. The current wage structure is widely considered insufficient, particularly given the high-risk nature of the work in an overcrowded and underfunded system. In addition, doctors are pushing for a 45-hour workweek with proportional overtime pay, as well as improved housing, transportation allowances, and free healthcare for their families.
Additionally, these medical professionals are calling for a restructuring of the healthcare system to be managed by an independent board, rather than under the current civil service arrangement.
The strike has been compounded by reports of widespread detentions. At least 80 healthcare workers have been arrested across the country, including several prominent figures within the medical community.
The government’s response to the strike has been heavily criticized. Critics argue that the detention of medical professionals for participating in a peaceful protest only exacerbates the situation. Several human rights organizations have condemned the arrests, calling for the immediate release of the detained doctors and an end to the criminalization of healthcare workers advocating for their rights.
The strike has placed a severe strain on the nation’s healthcare system, with public hospitals operating with minimal staff. In major cities like Addis Ababa, patients are being turned away due to a lack of available medical personnel, while smaller clinics in rural areas are facing extreme shortages. Many citizens are now seeking medical attention in private facilities, which are financially out of reach for most Ethiopians.
In addition to the immediate impact on healthcare, the ongoing strike is also having long-term effects on public health. Many routine surgeries, medical procedures, and critical care services have been delayed or canceled, leaving vulnerable populations—particularly those with chronic illnesses or requiring emergency care—at greater risk. The situation is made worse by the fact that Ethiopia’s healthcare system was already under significant strain due to years of underinvestment and challenges stemming from the aftermath of the Tigray conflict.
