Healthcare workers in the Democratic Republic of Congo have initiated a strike following the confirmation of over 3,000 Ebola cases in the region. The current Ebola outbreak in the Central African nation has resulted in more than 1,000 fatalities this year, surpassing the previous epidemic’s pace by nearly threefold.
Official figures show 3,075 confirmed cases, with 755 individuals receiving medical care or isolated. The death toll has climbed to 1,354, underscoring the severity of the situation. At the heart of the outbreak, 100 staff members at an Ebola treatment center protested and walked out due to outstanding performance bonuses.
Employees at The Elikya Ebola Treatment Centre in Bunia, Ituri province, demand resolution for their two months of unpaid bonuses. The strike, ongoing until a satisfactory outcome is achieved, aims to address the financial grievances affecting the frontline workers combating the disease.
Operational concerns were raised by Martin Bolombi, a striking health worker, emphasizing the urgency of payment amidst the escalating crisis within the treatment center. Dr. Adelard Lufungula, overseeing Ebola response operations, assured that the payment issue is being addressed promptly, with mobile payments replacing cash disbursements to clear the backlog.
In a separate development, healthcare workers at Bunia General Hospital, the region’s largest healthcare facility, protested unpaid wages dating back to the onset of the outbreak in May 2026. The Ebola outbreak has spread across five provinces in DR Congo, including Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uélé, and Tshopo.
The current outbreak is fueled by the rare Bundibugyo ebolavirus strain, characterized by a mortality rate of around 40% and lacking an approved vaccine or definitive treatment. Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka expressed optimism for potential new treatments entering clinical trials in the coming months.
Experimental vaccine trials targeting the Bundibugyo strain are underway, with human trials led by the University of Oxford. The situation remains critical as the country grapples with the escalating Ebola crisis, necessitating swift and effective responses to contain and combat the deadly virus.
