Congo Health Workers Strike Amid Ebola Crisis and Rising Deaths
WHO:
AP News - Dr. Biensi Kano, member of the epidemiological surveillance committee in Ituri’s capital, Bunia.
AP News - Dr. Ben Bakule, community investigator.
AP News - Dr. Ghislain Maneba, epidemiologist and community investigator in the Rwampara health zone.
AP News - Akilimali Pierre, incident manager at Congo’s National Institute of Public Health.
AP News - Congo’s Minister of Health Roger Kamba.
WHAT:
AP News - The Ebola outbreak continues to spread faster than the response efforts, according to health officials.
AP News - Some treatment centers are reported to be at near-full capacity.
AP News - Dr. Biensi Kano stated, “Since the Ebola virus disease outbreak was declared, we’ve been demanding payment for our work.”
AP News - Dr. Ben Bakule expressed frustration, saying, “We risk dying for nothing. This government wants this epidemic to continue.”
AP News - Congo’s Minister of Health Roger Kamba assured response teams that “All doctors, all nurses and all staff working on the response will be fully supported. We have the money for that.”
AP News - The latest government data shows the Ebola outbreak has recorded 1,708 cases and 580 deaths, with the first month being the worst on record.
AP News - Some health workers organized a protest outside the Rwampara Ebola treatment center, setting tires alight, which caused a brief panic before police intervened.
AP News - The strike comes at the start of enrollment for clinical trials for the treatment of the Bundibugyo virus responsible for the outbreak.
ABC News World - Healthcare workers in Congo are on strike to protest delays in their payments.
AP News - The Ebola outbreak has recorded 1,708 cases and 580 deaths.
AP News - The first month of the current Ebola outbreak is reported to be the worst on record.
AP News - Some health workers organized a protest outside the Rwampara Ebola treatment center, setting tires alight.
WHERE:
AP News - The strike is occurring in Ituri province, Congo, which is the hardest hit among three provinces affected by the outbreak.
AP News - The protest took place outside the Rwampara Ebola treatment center in Ituri.
WHEN:
AP News - The Ebola outbreak was declared on May 15.
AP News - Front-line workers threatened to strike if wages were not paid in 24 hours, with some already stopping work by Tuesday.
WHY:
AP News - The closure of Bunia airport is hampering the implementation of the response and the flow of funds, according to Akilimali Pierre.
AP News - Health workers allege they are working with limited gear and are being treated unfairly by authorities and response teams.
AP News - Health workers are protesting due to non-payment of wages and bonuses since the outbreak was declared.
AP News - The non-payment of benefits is causing significant socio-economic difficulties for the workers and their families.
AP News - The closure of Bunia airport is hampering the implementation of the response and the flow of funds.
HOW:
AP News - Some health workers organized a protest outside the Rwampara Ebola treatment center, setting tires alight, which caused a brief panic before police intervened.
AP News - Some workers are engaging in community outreach and burial of Ebola victims despite facing attacks and skepticism from residents.
AP News - Health workers are walking off their jobs as a form of protest against delayed payments.
AP News - Some workers are engaging in community outreach and burial of Ebola victims, despite facing attacks and skepticism from residents.
(UPDATED July 8, 2026 23:19 UTC)
The Ebola outbreak is spreading faster than response efforts can keep up, with some treatment centers nearing full capacity, according to health officials. Frustration among health workers is growing, as Dr. Biensi Kano highlighted the need for payment for their work, while Dr. Ben Bakule expressed concerns about the government's handling of the epidemic. Meanwhile, Congo’s Minister of Health, Roger Kamba, reassured response teams of full support, despite challenges like the closure of Bunia airport hindering both the response and the flow of funds, which led to protests outside the Rwampara treatment center.
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(UPDATED July 8, 2026 20:25 UTC)
The latest government data reveals that the ongoing Ebola outbreak has resulted in 1,708 cases and 580 deaths, with the first month marking the worst on record. In response to concerns over limited gear and perceived unfair treatment, health workers staged a protest outside the Rwampara Ebola treatment center, setting tires ablaze and causing a brief panic before police intervened. As clinical trials for the treatment of the Bundibugyo virus are set to begin, some workers continue their efforts in community outreach and the burial of Ebola victims, despite facing skepticism and attacks from residents.
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(UPDATED July 8, 2026 19:29 UTC)
Healthcare workers in Congo are currently on strike, protesting the non-payment of wages and bonuses since the Ebola outbreak was declared on May 15, which has already resulted in 1,708 cases and 580 deaths. The strike is particularly impactful in Ituri province, the hardest hit area, where some health workers have even organized protests outside the Rwampara Ebola treatment center, setting tires ablaze. Despite these challenges, some workers continue to engage in community outreach and the burial of Ebola victims, although they face skepticism and attacks from local residents.