KINSHASA, Congo — A critical Ebola treatment center in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been brought to a standstill as workers embarked on a strike over unpaid salaries and bonuses, according to reports.
The Rwampara General Hospital in Ituri province, a key facility in the battle against the Ebola outbreak, has been closed due to the protest action.
The striking staff, which includes epidemiologists, case investigators, drivers, and gravediggers, claim they have not been paid by the Congolese authorities for 45 days.
The workers are on the front lines of the response to the Ebola outbreak, which was declared on May 15, 2026, and is caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus. John Bahati Nguna, a member of the burial team, expressed the workers’frustration. “We are handling Ebola burials, and we have not been paid.
We are burying people who have been in their homes for four days, clearly showing they died from Ebola, “Nguna. “Now they are coming from Kinshasa, claiming to be the bosses, and staying in hotels. They eat well, they sleep well, and don’t even know what’s happening on the ground. “.
Olivier Duciel, who works on a team raising awareness about Ebola in the community, echoed the sentiment of the workers. “We haven’t been paid. It’s been 45 days, “Duciel. “.
We haven’t been paid, as they said with great bitterness. “.
The strike at the Rwampara General Hospital underscores the challenges faced by healthcare workers in the DRC, including inadequate compensation and working conditions.
The Congolese authorities have yet to respond to the strike or address the workers’concerns.
The ongoing strike could further complicate the efforts to contain the Ebola outbreak in the country, which has already taken a toll on the healthcare system and the lives of many. It also highlights the importance of addressing the needs and concerns of healthcare workers who are critical to the fight against the virus.
As the outbreak continues to unfold, it is essential for the DRC government and international partners to ensure that these workers are adequately compensated and supported to effectively combat the virus.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: Africanews
Source: AfricaNews
