DR Congo Health Workers Threaten Strike Over Unpaid Ebola Wages

Health workers on the front lines of the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo are threatening to strike, citing unpaid wages as the primary reason. This action comes as the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a stark warning, suggesting the true scale of the epidemic may be significantly larger than initially reported, potentially four times the current estimates.

Since the outbreak was declared on May 15, Ebola has claimed the lives of over 700 people, with nearly 2,000 confirmed infections across the DRC. The situation is particularly dire in the northeastern province of Ituri, an epicenter of the outbreak. Health workers at the Rwampara Ebola treatment center, one of the hardest-hit areas, have not received payment since the virus was detected in May. In protest, they burned tires and temporarily blocked access to the center on Monday.

"We've been treating Ebola patients without pay since May 15. We continue to do so because that is our oath but we are working in very difficult conditions," stated Dr. Pascal Bahoya to AFP. Doctors at the center have issued a 48-hour ultimatum, demanding immediate payment of salaries and bonuses. Failure to comply, they warn, will result in a full-scale strike with no minimum service provision.

DRC Health Minister Samuel Roger Kamba acknowledged "delays in payment" during a visit to Ituri, assuring that the "organizational issue" causing the problem would be resolved. Despite these assurances, the health workers are struggling under immense pressure. The virus has spread to five eastern provinces, and the conflict-ridden region faces challenges with displacement and inadequate sanitation in displacement camps. According to the national public health institute, at least 112 healthcare workers have been infected, and 35 have died.

The WHO's emergencies director, Chikwe Ihekweazu, noted that the true extent of the outbreak, believed to have begun months before detection, remains difficult to ascertain. Humanitarian workers on the ground also suspect the official figures are underestimates. The Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, responsible for this outbreak, currently has no available vaccine or specific treatment, making the response efforts even more critical amidst the growing threat and the potential for a health worker strike.

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We've been treating Ebola patients without pay since May 15. We continue to do so because that is our oath but we are working in very difficult conditions.