Strike Over Unpaid Salaries Halts Ebola Treatment Center in Ituri Province

Dozens of staff at Rwampara General Hospital in Ituri province halted operations on Monday, blocking the entrance and burning a tire outside. The protest involved epidemiologists, case investigators, drivers and gravediggers who said they have not received wages or bonuses for two months. The shutdown comes as the facility serves as a key treatment hub in the country’s fastest-growing Ebola outbreak.

The Independent

Congolese authorities declared the outbreak on May 15 after weeks of undetected transmission. The disease is caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus, for which no approved vaccine or treatment exists. As of the latest reports, there are 1,926 confirmed cases and 702 deaths nationwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) noted that a second U.S. citizen, a humanitarian worker, was transferred to Germany for care, following the earlier infection of an American doctor.

Workers at an Ebola treatment center in Congo strike over unpaid salaries and bonuses

Health Minister Roger Kamba said the government is verifying the payroll list to remove unrelated names and ensure payments reach the correct personnel. He emphasized that the ministry “has the means to sort this out.” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus posted on X that the second American patient had been moved to Germany, underscoring ongoing international concern.

The Independent

Health workers on the ground argue that delayed salaries jeopardize the response effort. They contend that without pay, staff morale and retention risk collapse, threatening containment measures in the epicenter of the outbreak.

The Independent

• “We don’t know how it is possible to not have been paid for two months,” — Bahati Claude, health worker, Rwampara health zone

Workers at an Ebola treatment center in Congo strike over unpaid salaries and bonuses

• “We don’t want to give up the job.” — Bahati Claude, health worker, Rwampara health zone

Workers at an Ebola treatment center in Congo strike over unpaid salaries and bonuses

• “We must ensure that these payments reach the right people,” — Roger Kamba, Congolese health minister

Workers at an Ebola treatment center in Congo strike over unpaid salaries and bonuses

• “We have faced a few challenges, notably changes to the lists, which have led to complaints from people saying they are not being paid even though they are working.” — Roger Kamba, Congolese health minister

Workers at an Ebola treatment center in Congo strike over unpaid salaries and bonuses