Africa-Press – Ethiopia. The Ethiopian Federal Police said it has detained 47 healthcare workers who, it claims, used recent “salary and benefits” demands in the health sector as a “cover” to coordinate what it described as “illegal strikes” and actions that “endanger patients’ lives,” as healthcare professionals across Ethiopia continue a nationwide strike for a second consecutive week.
In a statement issued on Friday, the police said the group is suspected of “conducting illegal strikes,” “inciting others to stop working and join the strike,” and “endangering patients’ lives by exposing them to death and danger.” The statement further alleged that the detainees “used the legitimate demands raised by healthcare professionals” to collaborate with “forces working to create chaos in the country.”
The suspects are also accused of organizing what the police called “strike networks” across various health institutions. The statement claimed that some individuals “brought in non-health professionals,” had them “wear white coats,” and enter hospital compounds “to create disturbances.” It added that these actions “disrupted medical services” and “put patients and those seeking assistance at risk.”
The police said “false rumors” were spread during this period, allegedly interfering with “the peaceful conduct of medical work.” It also accused the individuals of disrupting “the teaching and learning process” in institutions that provide government medical education and services.
According to the statement, the suspects allegedly “intimidated” and “threatened” colleagues who “chose to remain at work,” and are further suspected of attempting to create “chaos.” The Federal Police said the arrests were based on “information and evidence” and stated that the individuals remain in custody while investigations continue.
In its statement, the police asserted that “halting healthcare services in a manner that endangers citizens’ lives,” as well as “threatening or inciting others to stop working,” constitutes “criminal behavior.” The institution warned other healthcare professionals against “such actions,” which it described as “in violation of both professional ethics and legal boundaries.”
While pledging to “provide necessary protection to healthcare professionals who are serving the people and respecting the law,” the Federal Police said it will “intensify and continue the legal measures” being taken against what it called “elements working to spread chaos and disturbances.”
The statement from the police comes as a nationwide strike by health professionals, which began on 13 May after the government failed to respond to a 12-point demand, entered 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.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) cautioned that responses to the ongoing nationwide walkouts “must not lead to human rights violations,” and urged dialogue to resolve the situation.
Police previously charged nine individuals, including anatomic pathologist Dr. Mahlet Gush, with “inciting riot and unrest” and “collaborating with anti-peace forces,” under the criminal file of Dr. Samuel Hailu Tewoldemedhin, a renowned orthopedic surgeon. Amnesty International earlier raised concern about the “crackdown” on health workers amid ongoing protests, stating that they were “arbitrarily rounded up” by security forces in multiple locations across Ethiopia
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