In DR Congo, healthcare workers on the front lines of Ebola face anger and exhaustion as they remain unpaid

• Africa Africa Africa
• Democratic Republic of the Congo Democratic Republic of the Congo Democratic Republic of the Congo

Since early July, healthcare workers fighting the epidemic have staged sporadic strikes to demand their salaries. The government has acknowledged the embezzlement of funds, which has undermined the response to the Ebola virus disease.

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On the outskirts of Bunia, the Ebola virus epicenter in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Jean-Pierre, a nurse on the front lines of the disease, expressed his frustration: "How much longer are we going to risk our lives without being paid?" Like many other healthcare workers, this Congolese nurse has not received any pay since the official epidemic declaration on May 15 – which, as of Sunday, August 23, had killed 2,642 people out of 5,514 confirmed cases, according to authorities. "The government keeps assuring us that we will be paid soon but, for now, their promises have not materialized," Jean-Pierre, who did not want his last name published, told Le Monde by phone on Friday, August 21.

Protests and threats of strikes, which have increased since early July in Ebola treatment centers, have so far failed to change the situation. Sporadic strikes have already taken place in several towns, including Bunia, Mongbwalu, Nizi, Rwampara, Kasenyi and Kisangani, but they have never lasted more than a few days. "Our authorities have abandoned the frontline providers [healthcare workers] to their fate," said the staff at the Kisangani treatment center in a video posted to Facebook on August 11. Having received only transportation coverage since the start of the epidemic, nurses and doctors threatened to "release the patients" and "shut down the site" if they were not paid soon.

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