Africa-Press – Ethiopia. Members of the Ethiopian Health Professionals Movement (EHPM), in preliminary talks with the Ministry of Health, have laid out four preconditions before entering formal negotiations, including the “release of detained colleagues” and the reversal of what they described as “punitive measures taken across hospitals” in relation to their ongoing strike.
The talks were held Friday afternoon amid a nationwide strike by healthcare professionals and reports of arrests and intimidation.
According to a member of the Ethiopian Health Professionals Movement (EHPM) who spoke to Addis Standard on condition of anonymity, the meeting was attended by Minister of Health Dr. Mekdes Daba; State Ministers Frehiwot Abebe and Dr. Dereje Duguma; and Aschalew Alene, Technical Advisor to the Minister of Health. Representatives of the movement also took part in the discussion, which aimed to explore possible terms for future negotiations.
The member said the meeting focused on establishing “ground rules” for dialogue. “But there was no agreement made with them,” the member said, adding that “the Board wasn’t present at the meeting,” and instead, “some board-approved group of people discussed with them.” While acknowledging a “willingness for dialogue from the Ministry of Health,” the member argued that the Ministry was “not ready to solve the actual 12 questions we raised,” and had also “failed to fulfill the preconditions.”
The member further disclosed that a separate discussion was held with the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC). “We have agreed to some extent with the Commission,” the member said, after the Commission suggested it could “mediate with the Ministry of Health.” The source added that “there’s a future meeting” with the EHRC, and emphasized that “it’s not concluded yet.” However, the member cautioned that “success hasn’t yet been determined,” and stressed that the group would not enter into any negotiations “unless the preconditions are met.”
The preconditions outlined by the movement include the “immediate release” of health professionals detained across the country and accused, in their words, “with false charges.” They also demanded the cancellation of “all warnings, suspensions, dismissals, etc.” issued in connection with the strike.
In addition, the group said, “all our colleagues, interns, and residents should be back to their dormitories within the coming days.” They further insisted that they must be allowed to continue their “partial strike” without “any influence from any official or hospital administration on our colleagues.”
“If the above points are fulfilled,” the group concluded, “we can discuss the stipulated 12 points and negotiate on their priority and urgency.”
The preliminary talks come as a nationwide strike by health professionals, which began on 13 May after the government failed to respond to a 12-point demand, enters its second week. Striking workers are demanding improved pay, better working conditions, and protection of their rights. The strike, which followed online campaigns under hashtags such as #HealthWorkersMatter, was preceded by protests and has drawn reports of intimidation and arrests by authorities.
Reports indicate that medical services have been halted in some hospitals in Addis Abeba and regional cities, following a full-scale call for work stoppage by Ethiopian healthcare workers at the end of last week, citing arrests and intimidation.
The Ethiopian Federal Police confirmed reports of detentions, announcing on Friday the arrest of 47 healthcare professionals, whom it accused of exploiting recent “salary and benefits” demands in the health sector as a “cover” to coordinate what it described as “illegal strikes” and acts that “endanger patients’ lives.” The police alleged the detainees were involved in “conducting illegal strikes,” and “inciting others to stop working,” while “endangering patients’ lives by exposing them to death and danger.”
The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) had earlier cautioned that responses to the ongoing nationwide walkouts “must not lead to human rights violations,” and urged dialogue to resolve the situation.
Amnesty International has also urged Ethiopian authorities to “urgently engage in negotiations” with striking healthcare professionals and to “unconditionally release those detained,” warning that the ongoing work stoppage has “severely restricted patients’ right to access healthcare” across the country.
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