Ebola Spreads Deeper Into DR Congo Amid Health Workers’ Strike
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is facing fresh challenges in its battle against Ebola after healthcare workers at one of the country’s main treatment facilities embarked on an indefinite strike over unpaid wages, threatening efforts to contain the deadly virus.
The protest began at Rwampara General Hospital in Ituri Province, where frontline workers accused authorities of failing to pay them for several months.
Those who joined the strike include disease surveillance officers, laboratory personnel, ambulance drivers, epidemiologists and burial teams, forcing many response activities to slow down.
The development comes at a time when the Ebola outbreak is expanding. Health authorities have confirmed new infections in Haut-Uele and Tshopo provinces, bringing the number of provinces with confirmed cases to five and raising concerns over the pace of the virus’ spread.
The outbreak has been made more difficult to control by insecurity across parts of eastern DR Congo, where armed groups continue to operate.
Health officials have also struggled against false information, public distrust and cultural burial practices that increase the risk of transmission.
The World Health Organization has appealed for a stronger and more coordinated response, warning that the window to contain the outbreak is narrowing as new cases continue to emerge.
Official figures show that the outbreak has so far resulted in 1,926 confirmed infections and 702 deaths.
Aid agencies have warned that the continued spread of the virus could increase the risk of transmission into neighbouring South Sudan if urgent containment measures are not strengthened.
Health Minister Roger Kamba said the government was working to address complaints over delayed salaries, explaining that officials were reviewing payroll records to ensure payments reach eligible workers as quickly as possible.
In a related development, Germany on Monday admitted a second American aid worker infected with Ebola to a specialised isolation facility at Frankfurt University Hospital.
Hospital officials said the patient, a man in his 60s who contracted the virus while serving with a Christian humanitarian organisation in DR Congo, is receiving treatment and remains in stable condition.
The latest developments underscore the growing pressure on the country’s fragile health system as authorities race to contain one of the deadliest Ebola outbreaks in recent years.
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