The Ethiopian Federal Police announced today the arrest and ongoing investigation of 47 health workers in connection with the nationwide strike.

In an official statement, the Ethiopian Federal Police alleged that the detainees were involved in “colluding with forces attempting to sow chaos in the country by exploiting the recent demands raised by health workers as a pretext for an illegal strike.” Authorities claimed that the suspects disrupted the health sector, jeopardized patient care, and contributed to unrest.

The police further accused the individuals of “using demands for improved salaries and benefits as a cover for launching an illegal strike, inciting others to join, and endangering patients’ lives through disorder and violence.”

The Federal Police’s statement comes following a report from the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) issued yesterday, which reported that authorities had detained medical workers accused of “inciting unrest on social media and threatening or intimidating colleagues who refused to participate in the strike” in connection with an ongoing health workers’ strike.

Meanwhile, Health Voice Ethiopia, an independent website, has reported that the number of arrested health workers exceeds one hundred, citing a list compiled from various sources. The site also noted that at least 20 health workers have been released since the strike began, providing names, regional affiliations, and the dates of their arrests.

In a separate statement, the Federal Police claimed that suspects had been organizing strike networks across multiple health facilities, dressing non-medical individuals in white coats to infiltrate hospitals, and spreading misinformation to disrupt healthcare services. Officials alleged that such actions not only endangered patients but also interfered with operations in medical and educational institutions.

The Ethiopian Federal Police affirmed that the investigation into the 47 detained suspects is ongoing, based on collected evidence. The police reiterated their commitment to protecting healthcare professionals who continue to serve the public and vowed to intensify legal measures against those allegedly responsible for instigating violence and disorder.

Despite government action, health workers have been on a nationwide strike since May 12, demanding fair pay, better benefits, and improved working conditions. The Ethiopian Health Workers Movement called for a full strike, which began on May 19, 2025, announcing that medical services had already been suspended in several hospitals across Addis Ababa and regional cities.