#Ethiopia: Health workers report detentions, pressure from authorities as partial strike enters second day
Health professionals and medical students in multiple regions of Ethiopia have reported arrests and increasing pressure from authorities as a nationwide partial strike entered its second day on Wednesday, 14 May. The strike, which began on Tuesday, is part of a coordinated movement calling for fair pay, improved benefits, and risk compensation—demands participants say have been neglected for years.
At St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College in the capital, three medical trainees—two interns and a fifth-year student—were detained between Monday evening and Tuesday morning, a health professional told Addis Standard. They were reportedly taken to Lazarist Police Station in Adisu Gebeya and “cannot communicate with anyone on the outside.” The source added that intern doctors have since “left the campus,” citing a heightened police presence. “All outpatient departments are closed,” the professional said, with only critical services such as emergency, ICU, and labor wards remaining operational
A separate health worker from Tikur Anbesa Specialized Hospital confirmed that the strike is proceeding “according to plan” across departments. The source also reported the arrest of Dr. Nebiyu, a chief resident in the orthopedic department, who was “taken from his home” by security forces. “We are not currently aware of his status. Just that he was taken by security,” the source said. The source further claimed that “rather than taking our movement seriously, the responsible bodies have continued to make threats.” He also alleged attempts to undermine the strike by “making calls to unemployed physicians to take over.”
In the #Amhara region, detentions were reported in multiple hospitals. At Delgi Primary Hospital in Takusa District, East Gondar Zone, a health professional said that on Monday, 13 May, “Dr. Biniam Assefa, the hospital’s Outpatient Department Manager,” was detained around noon by “ten security personnel,” followed by the arrest of “Habte Kefele, a nurse and coordinator of the outpatient department,” around 12:30 p.m. The professional stated that both detainees were accused of having links to “extremist forces” and, despite promises of release after investigation, “both remain in custody.”
Attempts by Addis Standard to contact the Federal Police, Addis Abeba Health Bureau, Addis Abeba Police Commission, and the Ministry of Health were unsuccessful.