Some healthcare workers at the forefront of the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo have walked off their jobs to protest delayed payments, raising concerns about efforts to contain the escalating epidemic.
In Ituri province, the area most affected by the outbreak, front-line workers and other health professionals have reported not receiving their wages and bonuses since the outbreak was declared on May 15. They also allege they are working with insufficient protective gear and face unfair treatment from authorities and response teams.
Concerns Over Pay and Conditions
“Since the Ebola virus disease outbreak was declared, we’ve been demanding payment for our work,” Dr. Biensi Kano, a member of the epidemiological surveillance committee in Ituri’s capital, Bunia, told The Associated Press. Kano added that the non-payment of benefits “exposes us and our families to significant socio-economic difficulties and seriously undermines our living conditions.”
The latest government figures indicate 1,708 recorded cases, with 580 deaths. Health authorities noted that the first month of this outbreak was the worst on record. The strike occurs as enrollment begins for clinical trials of a treatment for the Bundibugyo virus, which is responsible for the current outbreak.
The World Health Organization representative in Congo, Dr. Anne Ancia, stated that the virus continues to spread, driven by population movements and insecurity. She also noted that some treatment centers are operating at near-full capacity.
In an official notice over the weekend, front-line workers in Ituri threatened strike action if wages were not paid within 24 hours. By Tuesday, some workers had already ceased working, although an official strike has not been declared.
The striking workers include safety and security teams, community outreach personnel, and those responsible for burying Ebola victims.
Challenges Hamper Response
Officials in Ituri acknowledged the workers’ concerns and stated they are being addressed. Akilimali Pierre, incident manager at Congo’s National Institute of Public Health, suggested that the closure of Bunia airport is hindering the response, particularly the flow of funds, which may be contributing to payment delays.
Some workers organized a protest Monday outside the Rwampara Ebola treatment center, setting tires ablaze. Police intervened to restore order.
Health workers also face other challenges, including attacks from residents and skepticism about the virus’s existence. Dr. Ben Bakule, a community investigator, recounted narrowly escaping an attack by angry young men in late May while tracing contacts in the village of Tutu. “We spend money on transport to get to work. We thought we’d be rewarded. At the moment, nothing is going right because we’re not being paid. We don’t deserve this sort of treatment,” Bakule said.
He expressed frustration, stating, “We might have to give up our jobs. These are risks we’re taking. We risk dying for nothing. This government wants this epidemic to continue.”
Last month, Congo’s Minister of Health, Roger Kamba, assured response teams in the mining town of Mongbwalu, a disease hotspot, that their working conditions were a government priority and that funding was available. However, front-line workers like Dr. Ghislain Maneba, an epidemiologist and community investigator, report a different reality. “We are working day and night without being paid,” Maneba stated.
The strike has caused concern among residents in Ituri, who are already experiencing economic hardship due to outbreak containment measures. Bunia resident Anifa Kito expressed fear that faltering response efforts could further complicate daily life and urged authorities to resolve the situation promptly.
Helene Elliott is the senior reporter for News Raise. She covers Science news. She also has a keen interest in photojournalism. Helene holds a nomination for the prestigious Red Smith Award. She is married to author Dennis D’Agostino, a former publicist with the New York Mets.
