The Congo Ebola outbreak has reached a critical stage as healthcare workers at one of the country’s main treatment centers walked off the job over unpaid salaries, raising concerns about the response to one of the fastest-growing Ebola outbreaks on record.
Authorities confirmed nearly 3,000 Ebola infections, while the death toll has climbed above 1,300, putting additional pressure on an already overwhelmed healthcare system.
Strike Disrupts Ebola Treatment in Bunia
Doctors, nurses, and support staff at the Elikya Ebola Treatment Center in Bunia, located in Ituri Province, launched a strike on Saturday after claiming they had not received performance bonuses for two months.
The protest brought medical services at the treatment center to a near standstill, disrupting care for patients in one of the hardest-hit regions.
Around 100 healthcare workers gathered outside the facility, demanding immediate payment before returning to work.
One of the striking workers, Martin Bolombi, said the lack of pay was affecting both morale and patient care.
He explained that several patients had already died while the staff continued to wait for authorities to resolve the payment dispute.
Ebola Cases Continue Rising
According to the latest government figures, the Congo Ebola outbreak has now recorded 2,973 confirmed infections, including 1,309 deaths.
Health officials describe it as the country’s fastest-expanding Ebola outbreak, with Ituri Province accounting for nearly 90% of all confirmed cases.
The growing number of infections continues to place enormous pressure on hospitals, treatment centers, and emergency response teams.
Government Promises Payments
The strike came just one day after Prime Minister Judith Suminwa visited Ebola treatment centers in Ituri to assess the response.
During her visit, healthcare workers voiced frustration over delayed salaries and unpaid bonuses.
Dr. Adelard Lufungula, who oversees Ebola response operations, said authorities have begun processing payments through mobile money systems and expect the backlog to be cleared within days.
However, many healthcare workers remain skeptical after experiencing repeated delays.
Healthcare Workers Face Serious Risks
The World Health Organization (WHO) says more than 100 healthcare workers have contracted Ebola since the outbreak began.
Many frontline staff continue treating infected patients despite shortages of resources, delayed salaries, and increasing security concerns.
Last week, staff at Bunia General Hospital also stopped working over unpaid wages, highlighting broader financial challenges facing Congo’s healthcare system.
Conflict Complicates the Response
Health officials warn that controlling the outbreak remains extremely difficult due to ongoing armed conflict, population displacement, and illegal mining activities across eastern Congo.
Investigators have yet to identify the outbreak’s original source, making contact tracing far more complicated.
Medical teams also face funding shortages, attacks on healthcare facilities, and distrust among local communities, slowing containment efforts.
Limited Treatment Options
Unlike previous Ebola outbreaks caused by the Zaire strain, the current outbreak involves the Bundibugyo virus, for which there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment.
Researchers have recently launched clinical studies in Ituri to evaluate two experimental Ebola treatments that could improve survival rates if proven effective.
WHO Says Global Risk Remains Low
Despite the rising number of infections, the World Health Organization maintains that the international risk remains low.
Health experts note that Ebola spreads through direct contact with infected bodily fluids rather than through the air, making widespread international transmission less likely.
Even so, officials stress that rapid containment efforts remain essential to prevent the outbreak from expanding further across eastern Congo.
