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The health workers fighting Ebola without pay
AP News • • health
Key Points:
- Healthcare workers at the center of Congo’s Ebola outbreak in Ituri province have stopped working to protest unpaid wages and bonuses since the outbreak began on May 15, threatening efforts to control the rapidly spreading virus.
- The outbreak has recorded 1,708 cases and 580 deaths, with treatment centers nearing full capacity; front-line workers also report limited protective gear and unfair treatment by authorities.
- Workers, including medical staff and burial teams, demanded payment within 24 hours and held protests, while government officials cite logistical issues such as the closure of Bunia airport affecting fund flows.
- Front-line workers face additional challenges like attacks from residents and community skepticism, leading to frustration and fears of abandoning their roles despite government assurances of support.
- The strike has raised concerns among local residents about the potential worsening of the outbreak and its economic impact, with calls for authorities to resolve the payment delays promptly.
