Doctors risk their lives to fight Ebola, but the government is not paying them
More than 580 people have died in Congo, but front-line workers say they are working with limited gear and no wages.
Imagine risking your life every day to stop a deadly virus, only to find out you cannot even buy food for your own family.
WHAT HAPPENED
Health workers in eastern Congo are going on strike during a major Ebola outbreak. The workers say they have not received their wages or bonuses since the outbreak started on May 15.
Some workers have stopped working in Ituri province, which is the hardest hit area. They also say they lack proper gear to protect themselves from the virus.
To make matters worse, workers face attacks from angry locals who do not believe the virus is real. Some workers protested by burning tires outside a treatment center until police stopped them.
FACT BOX
- 580: The number of people who have died in this outbreak.
- 1,708: The total number of recorded Ebola cases.
- May 15: The date the outbreak was first declared.
- 24 hours: The time workers gave the government to pay them before striking.
- Three: The number of eastern provinces affected by the virus.
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WHY IT MATTERS
This strike could let the deadly virus spread even faster. Health officials say some treatment centers are already nearly full.
Without these workers, there is no one to track the sick or bury the dead safely. This puts entire towns at risk of a much larger outbreak.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
The government says it has the money and is working to solve the pay issue. Officials blame the delays on the closure of the local airport, which stopped the flow of cash.
Medical teams are also trying to start clinical trials for a new treatment. It is unclear if the strike will stop these trials from happening.
WHAT WE STILL DON'T KNOW
- When will the workers actually receive their missing wages?
- How many workers have completely walked off the job?
- Will the airport reopen soon to allow funds to arrive?