Ebola ravages Congo: health workers' strike threatens containment efforts

A union of health workers in the Democratic Republic of Congo called for a general strike covering areas affected by the Ebola outbreak, protesting low wages, poor working conditions, and unpaid risk allowances. The strike comes as the country faces its largest outbreak in history, with 9,144 confirmed cases and 4,410 deaths since mid-May.

A union of health workers in the Democratic Republic of Congo called for a general strike on Thursday, covering various parts of the country, including areas affected by the Ebola virus outbreak, in protest of low wages, poor working conditions, and unpaid risk allowances. Union coordinator Damien Mohindo said the strike will also include health facilities in areas where the epidemic is spreading, noting that negotiations with the government have not resulted in meeting workers' demands for wage increases, improved working conditions, and payment of financial dues. Mohindo explained that Ebola treatment centers will continue to provide minimal services, but their operations will be significantly reduced, limited to emergency care and isolation wards. He warned that the strike will disrupt essential epidemic control services, including diagnosis of infections, tracking of contacts, and clinical trials for antiviral treatments and experimental vaccines. The strike call comes amid a worsening health crisis, with the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention describing the current outbreak as the fastest-spreading Ebola outbreak in history, with new infections continuing and affected areas expanding. According to the latest data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, the DRC has recorded 9,144 confirmed cases and 4,410 deaths since mid-May.