Healthcare workers in Butembo, Democratic Republic of Congo, have embarked on an indefinite strike to demand better pay and improved working conditions. The strike affects several healthcare facilities, including the Cliniques universitaires de l’UCG, the Centre de traitement Ebola (CTE) de Kitatumba, and other centers in Katwa and Matanda. Workers, including nurses, hygienists, and supervisors, have suspended their activities due to unaddressed grievances.
The striking workers are protesting against four months of unpaid work without official contracts and compensation they claim is not in line with the Ministry of Health's salary scale. They are demanding improved risk allowances, revision of salary disparities between professional categories, and implementation of the minimum interprofessional wage (SMIG) for 2026. Despite multiple appeals to authorities, the workers claim their concerns have been ignored.
The healthcare workers had given the government 14 days to address their concerns, followed by a seven-day ultimatum, but no satisfactory response was received. They also cite difficulties in performing their duties, including threats, insults, and acts of violence from communities, despite their efforts to provide care and prevent the spread of Ebola.
The strike has raised concerns about the continuity of care, disinfection of healthcare facilities, and infection prevention and control activities in communities. The urban coordination of Butembo's civil society has expressed support for the workers' demands and urged the government to intervene quickly to prevent further weakening of the Ebola response.
Health authorities have reassured the public that arrangements have been made to ensure the continued care of suspected and confirmed cases. A meeting with the North Kivu governor's health advisor, Prisca Kamala, has been scheduled to find a solution to the workers' demands. However, no general resumption of activities has been confirmed.
The strike occurs amid the 17th Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with North Kivu being one of the affected provinces. The mobilization and continuity of frontline teams remain crucial to containing the virus transmission. The situation highlights the challenges faced by healthcare workers in the region and the need for sustainable solutions.
The strike by healthcare workers in Butembo underscores the delicate balance between addressing workers' grievances and maintaining essential healthcare services, particularly in the context of an ongoing epidemic. Efforts to resolve the impasse are ongoing, with stakeholders seeking to find a solution that addresses the workers' concerns while ensuring the continuity of care for affected communities.
Key points
- Healthcare workers in Butembo are on strike over unpaid work, poor compensation, and lack of official contracts.
- The strike affects several healthcare facilities, including Ebola treatment centers.
- Authorities have reassured the public that care for suspected and confirmed cases will continue.
