Health workers at the epicenter of Congo's Ebola outbreak labor with little pay or rest

June 7, 2026 - 13:36

MONGBWALU, Congo (AP) - Dr. Richard Lokudu, the medical director of Mongbwalu General Referral Hospital, has received almost no compensation for his work on the front line of one of Congo's deadliest Ebola outbreaks. He is not alone. Across the region, nurses, doctors, and support staff are laboring for weeks without a day off, often with little or no pay.

The outbreak, centered in a remote and conflict-ridden area of eastern Congo, has overwhelmed local health systems. Many workers have fled their posts out of fear or exhaustion, leaving a skeleton crew to handle hundreds of cases. Those who remain face long hours, high infection risk, and the emotional toll of watching patients die. Some have not been paid in months, relying on food and supplies donated by international aid groups.

Lokudu said he has not received a salary since the outbreak began. He continues to work because there is no one else to take his place. The government has promised hazard pay and bonuses, but the money has been slow to arrive. Meanwhile, the virus continues to spread, fueled by community mistrust and the difficulty of reaching remote villages.

Health workers say they are running on adrenaline and a sense of duty. But without rest and fair compensation, many fear the system will collapse entirely.