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

By — Justin Kabumba, The Associated Press Justin Kabumba, The Associated Press By — Ope Adetayo, Associated Press Ope Adetayo, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/health-workers-at-center-of-congos-ebola-outbreak-labor-with-little-pay-or-rest Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Health workers at center of Congo's Ebola outbreak labor with little pay or rest World Jun 7, 2026 1:47 PM EDT MONGBWALU, Congo (AP) — Dr. Richard Lokudu, the medical director of Mongbwalu General Referral Hospital, has received barely any compensation for his work on the front line of one of Congo's deadliest Ebola virus outbreaks. Lokudu and several of his colleagues work all day at the hospital treating an influx of patients. Notifications of suspected cases come even late at night. WATCH: Health workers struggle to contain Ebola outbreak "I have not received my allowance (and) what happened to others could happen to me as well," Lokudu told The Associated Press. "Despite all the infection prevention and control measures we are implementing, we do not know what may happen." Health authorities believe the outbreak, which took the eastern region of Congo by surprise after spreading silently for weeks without detection, started in the bustling mining area of Mongbwalu in Ituri province. Mining conditions conducive to virus spread Mongbwalu has emerged as the epicenter of the rare Bundibugyo type. The town attracts large numbers of laborers who work in large gold mines with muddy pools of gold deposits, narrow pits and caves. They live in low-income areas including crowded camps and have little access to proper health protocols. The conditions increase the possibility of transmitting the disease, which spreads through close contact with bodily fluids of the sick and deceased such as sweat, blood, feces and vomit. READ MORE: WHO chief visits Congo Ebola epicenter as cases outpace response There also has been widespread skepticism regarding the disease, making the job of medical treatment more difficult for Lokudu and his colleagues, while some of the health workers and first responders have died from the disease. "It is one thing to be far away and hear statistics being reported, but what is happening on the ground is enormous," Lokudu said. "People are sacrificing their rest and comfort for this cause. There should be recognition that they deserve compensation. These workers should receive their salaries regularly." The Congolese government didn't respond to a request for comment from the AP. Minimal resources available Congolese authorities released new statistics on Sunday, saying there have been 488 confirmed cases, including 86 deaths, as of Friday. On Thursday, the Central African nation recorded 71 new cases in a day, which authorities said is a sign of "active community transmission." In neighboring Uganda, there have been 19 confirmed cases and two deaths. Bundibugyo h