Health workers at the epicenter of Congos Ebola outbreak labor with little pay or rest

MONGBWALU, Congo — 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.“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.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.There has also 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 did not respond to a request for comment from the AP.Congolese authorities have confirmed 45...