By: Getahun Tsegaye
Staff Reporter
ADDIS ABABA – In an interview aired on May 12 with Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporate (EBC), Ethiopia’s Minister of Health, Dr. Mekdes Daba, discussed current developments in the health sector, highlighting shifts in national health policy but avoided directly addressing ongoing demands from healthcare professionals regarding salary adjustments.
Dr. Mekdes stated that “for the past thirty years, Ethiopia’s health policy has mainly focused on a preventive approach.” However, she added that in recent years, the ministry has started to incorporate more curative strategies as well, signaling a significant policy shift.
Contrary to widespread expectations that the interview would tackle the recent pre-strike demands made by healthcare workers—particularly calls for salary increases—Dr. Mekdes didn’t raise the issue directly during the broadcast. Instead, the minister focused on the government’s “achievements”, especially in healthcare infrastructure and service quality improvements.
In response to questions related to health professionals’ concerns, Dr. Mekdes noted that the government had issued a proclamation titled “የጤና መድን ለጤና ባለሙያዎች” (Health Insurance for Health Professionals), which aims to provide health coverage for those working in the sector. “The proclamation still requires detailing at all levels, including budget allocation and urgent implementation during this fiscal year,” she said. “We’ve already started preliminary works of implementing the proclamation.”
Addressing broader accountability issues in the healthcare system, Dr. Mekdes emphasized that the proclamation also outlines the legal responsibilities of healthcare providers in cases of professional misconduct. “It isn’t only about the questions of healthcare providers. We’ve also considered the concerns of the public, who demand accountability when services are not delivered properly,” she said.
She further explained that the new proclamation seeks to “close a long-standing legal gap” by clarifying the liability of healthcare workers when they commit professional errors. “This has been a long-awaited issue from a legal perspective, and the proclamation will address that gap,” she added.
She left out the pressing issues of salary and working conditions for healthcare workers unaddressed, which continue to be a source of national concern.
Background
Ethiopian healthcare professionals are staging rare and widespread pre-strike demonstrations, demanding fair wages, improved working conditions, and long-delayed incentives. Organized by the Ethiopian Health Professionals Association (EHPA), the protests have spread nationwide, with banners declaring “Silence is no longer an option.”
As reported by Borkena, healthcare workers, including doctors earning as little as $90–$100 per month, say they are struggling to meet basic needs amid soaring inflation. From May 13–17, services will be limited to emergency care, with a full-scale strike planned from May 18 if demands remain unmet.
Tensions escalated following the arrest of EHPA President Dr. Yonatan Dagnaw, who was detained by security forces after being summoned for questioning. EHPA and various rights groups condemned the arrest as an attempt to silence legitimate advocacy.
Additional reports confirmed arrests and harassment of health professionals in Arbaminch, Wolaita Sodo, and Agaro, with some officials denying any detentions. EHPA maintains that the arrests are linked to peaceful protests and has called for solidarity among professionals and the immediate release of detained colleagues.
Despite government statements acknowledging the crisis and promising reforms, many healthcare workers remain deeply skeptical.
The EHPA warns that unless swift and meaningful action is taken, the country risks a full-blown healthcare crisis. Medical professionals insist their demands are not about luxury but about survival and the right to work under dignified conditions.
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