Health staff at the Elikya Ebola Treatment Centre in Bunia, Ituri province, suspended work on Saturday in protest at unpaid bonuses, paralysing care in the epicentre of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s rapidly expanding Ebola outbreak. Government figures released on Friday show the outbreak has reached 2,973 confirmed cases and 1,309 deaths.
Strike deepens pressure on emergency response
Around 100 staff — including doctors, nurses and security personnel — staged the protest after voting unanimously to withhold labour until the government resolves what they describe as arrears. The action follows a separate walkout last week by workers at Bunia General Hospital, where some employees said they had not been paid since the outbreak began.
"two months of unpaid performance bonuses" and a strike until "concrete solutions" were found to resolve the issue
The strike highlights strains on a response that health officials and international charities say is already racing to keep pace with transmission. The World Health Organization reports that more than 100 healthcare workers have contracted the virus since this outbreak began on 15 May. At present, 766 patients remain in isolation or hospital and 540 people have recovered, according to Congo’s Ministry of Health.
Where the outbreak is concentrated
The eastern province of Ituri accounts for nearly 90% of confirmed cases, making it the focal point for clinical care, contact tracing and vaccination efforts. The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, a less common variant that has nonetheless produced rapid spread in recent weeks.
- Cases reported (government): 2,973 confirmed
- Deaths reported (government): 1,309
- Healthcare workers infected (WHO): more than 100
- Patients currently in treatment/isolation: 766
- Recovered: 540
Implications and immediate challenges
The stoppage at Elikya undermines already stretched care provision and risks interrupting isolation and treatment routines that limit onward transmission. Payment disputes are a recurring challenge in prolonged emergency operations and can damage morale, reduce staff availability and erode community trust in services. The strike also coincides with warnings from authorities that the outbreak is expanding more quickly than teams can identify and manage contacts.
| Metric | Number |
|---|---|
| Confirmed cases | 2,973 |
| Deaths | 1,309 |
| Healthcare workers infected | more than 100 |
International medical charities are active in the region, providing training in infection prevention and control, including correct removal and disposal of personal protective equipment. Yet the scale and pace of transmission, combined with workforce unrest, complicate efforts to expand treatment capacity and vaccination campaigns.
For readers seeking clarity: this report summarises official figures and contemporaneous accounts of staff action. It does not provide clinical guidance. Health authorities and international partners will need to resolve payment disputes quickly to restore full services and reduce the risks created by gaps in care provision.
— A correspondent reporting for InfoRadar’s Health desk
