Wiza Bondele, an infection control worker, disinfects contaminated areas and enforces health protocols at an Ebola treatment hospital in the eastern Ituri province of the Democratic Republic of Congo. His work, vital to slowing the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak in history, is done without pay. Bondele and hundreds of other front-line health workers, including burial teams and drivers, have been working without compensation since the outbreak was declared in mid-May.
This situation has become a significant concern, as poor welfare and attacks on health teams have led some workers to abandon their posts, disrupting critical care. The outbreak continues to spread at an alarming rate, outpacing containment efforts.
Bondele, a 29-year-old who also served during Congo's 2018 Ebola response, returned to help his community in Ituri, which accounts for nearly 90% of the cases. Instead, he found himself among many who have not received their promised monthly salary of $510. While officials have cited logistical issues and stated that payments are being processed through mobile money, many workers report delays or incomplete amounts.
The lack of salary creates daily struggles for Bondele, who supports his wife, child, and other relatives. He has faced hardships such as running out of fuel for his motorcycle and being unable to afford repairs, forcing him to walk long distances to reach the hospital. Despite these challenges, Bondele and hundreds of other workers continue to report for duty seven days a week, driven by the importance of their mission.
Recent weeks have seen protests and strikes by these unpaid workers, who warn that the situation is undermining morale and affecting patient care. Staff at one treatment center have stated they will remain on strike until concrete solutions are found.
The Ebola response is further complicated by armed conflict, widespread misinformation, and deep-seated mistrust within communities. Bondele described facing threats and violence while trying to raise awareness and combat rumors that the virus is a hoax or that health workers are profiting from the outbreak. Resistance to basic prevention measures like handwashing and resentment over restrictions on traditional burials have fueled this mistrust, leading to violent incidents such as the torching of treatment centers and attacks on health teams.
This mistrust hampers contact tracing and early treatment efforts, particularly in remote areas affected by rebel violence. As Bondele continues his work, he expresses discouragement despite his initial passion for the job.
The current outbreak, linked to the Bundibugyo virus for which no vaccines or treatments are approved, has exceeded 4,000 confirmed cases and over 1,800 deaths, making it the second-largest on record. This outbreak is distinct from the 2014-2016 West Africa outbreak, which saw more than 28,000 cases and over 11,000 deaths, and the 2018-2020 outbreak that killed at least 2,200.