Care for Ebola patients in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo was disrupted on Saturday as healthcare workers at a key treatment center walked off the job over unpaid wages, even as the country faces its fastest-growing outbreak on record.
Operations at the Elikya Ebola Treatment Center in Bunia, Ituri province, came to a standstill after doctors, nurses, and security staff halted their duties.
About 100 staff members demonstrated outside the facility, urging Congolese officials to settle two months of overdue performance bonuses.
”We need to be paid, because in the meantime the disease is spreading at the treatment center,” said Martin Bolombi, one of the striking health workers. “I’ve already had five people die who are still inside there. A solution must be found for us.”
The strike follows a similar walkout last week at Bunia General Hospital—the region’s largest medical facility—where some staff reported receiving no pay since the outbreak began. The work stoppage also coincided with a visit to Ituri by Prime Minister Judith Suminwa, who faced direct appeals from protesting medical personnel during her inspection of treatment centers in Rwampara and Mongbwalu.
The World Health Organization reports that over 100 healthcare workers have contracted Ebola since the current outbreak—caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus—was first detected on May 15.
According to government data released Friday, confirmed cases have surged to 2,973 with 1,309 deaths. Currently, 766 patients are isolated or hospitalized, while 540 have recovered.
Dr. Adelard Lufungula, operations manager for the response effort, stated on Saturday that the payment issues are currently “being resolved” by transitioning from cash payouts to mobile money, promising that backpay “should be cleared” in the coming days.