Ebola – Unpaid Health Workers Disrupt Congo’s Outbreak Response Efforts

Ebola – Health workers involved in the Ebola response in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo have begun withdrawing from some duties over delayed wages and unpaid allowances, raising concern that already strained efforts to contain the outbreak could weaken further. The dispute comes as authorities report continued transmission in several areas and treatment facilities face heavy pressure.

Payment delays prompt workers to halt duties

In Ituri province, which has recorded the largest share of cases among the three eastern provinces affected, medical staff and other frontline personnel say they have not received salaries or outbreak-related bonuses since the emergency was declared on May 15. Some workers have also reported shortages of protective equipment and what they describe as unequal treatment by officials and response partners.

Dr. Biensi Kano, who serves on an epidemiological surveillance committee in Bunia, said staff had repeatedly asked for payment since the outbreak began. By Tuesday, some personnel had stopped working, although an official province-wide strike had not been announced.

The affected teams include doctors, nurses, community outreach workers, security staff and personnel responsible for safe burials of Ebola victims. Their work is central to tracing contacts, educating residents and reducing the risk of further infections.

Outbreak figures raise concern over response capacity

Government data shows 1,708 recorded Ebola cases and 580 deaths. Health officials have described the first month of the outbreak as the most severe on record. The situation is also unfolding as enrolment begins for clinical trials focused on treating the Bundibugyo strain of the virus linked to the current outbreak.

Dr. Anne Ancia, the World Health Organization representative in Congo, said the virus was continuing to spread because of population movement and insecurity in affected areas. She added that several treatment centres were operating close to capacity.

Workers say the absence of payment has created serious financial pressure for their households. Kano said delayed benefits had affected living conditions and made it harder for personnel to continue performing demanding work in high-risk settings.

Airport closure cited as a factor in delays

In a notice sent to national and provincial authorities over the weekend, frontline workers in Ituri said they would stop work if outstanding payments were not settled within 24 hours. Local officials said they had met with the workers and were addressing their concerns.

Akilimali Pierre, an incident manager at Congo’s National Institute of Public Health, said the closure of Bunia airport had complicated aspects of the emergency operation, including the transfer of funds. He said this could partly explain why payments had been delayed.

Frustration spilled into public view on Monday when some workers protested outside the Rwampara Ebola treatment centre. Tires were set on fire, briefly alarming people in the surrounding area before police restored order.

Safety risks add to frontline pressure

The payment dispute is only one of several difficulties facing response teams. Health workers have reported hostility from some residents, including attacks linked to distrust of Ebola prevention measures and contact-tracing activities.

Dr. Ben Bakule, a community investigator, said he and colleagues were attacked in late May while tracing contacts in Tutu village in Djugu territory. He said staff often spend their own money on transport to reach work sites and feel increasingly discouraged by the lack of compensation.

Health Minister Roger Kamba had previously assured teams in the mining town of Mongbwalu that the government would support all personnel involved in the response. However, workers say those commitments have not yet been reflected in their daily conditions.

Residents fear further disruption

The disruption has unsettled residents in Ituri, where Ebola control measures have already affected local trade and household incomes. Anifa Kito, who sells tomatoes in Bunia, said authorities should settle the dispute quickly to prevent the health emergency from becoming more difficult for communities.