MONGBWALU, Congo — Dr. Richard Lokudu, the medical director of Mongbwalu General Referral Hospital, has been working tirelessly on the front lines of one of the most severe Ebola virus outbreaks in the country, yet he has received minimal compensation for his efforts. The hospital is overwhelmed with patients, and alerts about suspected cases continue even during the night.
“I have not received my allowance, and what happened to others could happen to me as well,” Lokudu told a news outlet. “Despite all the infection prevention and control measures we are implementing, we do not know what may happen.”
The outbreak, which has taken the eastern region of Congo by surprise, is believed to have started in the mining area of Mongbwalu in Ituri province. This region has become the epicenter of the rare Bundibugyo type of the virus.
Mining conditions conducive to virus spread
Mongbwalu is known for its large gold mines, where workers labor in muddy pools, narrow pits, and caves. Many of these workers live in low-income areas, including crowded camps, with limited access to proper health protocols. These conditions increase the risk of disease transmission, as the virus spreads through close contact with bodily fluids such as sweat, blood, feces, and vomit.
There is also widespread skepticism regarding the disease, making it more challenging for medical professionals like Lokudu and his colleagues. Some health workers and first responders have lost their lives to the virus.
“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.”
Minimal resources available
Congolese authorities released new statistics, stating there have been 488 confirmed cases, including 86 deaths, as of Friday. On Thursday, the country recorded 71 new cases in a single day, indicating “active community transmission.” In neighboring Uganda, there have been 19 confirmed cases and two deaths.
Bundibugyo has no approved vaccines or treatment, so Congolese health workers focus on managing symptoms. The government stated that at least five people have recovered from Ebola since the outbreak was officially confirmed by Congo's health ministry on May 15.
“The disease had a big head start,” according to World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Hospitals in the region couldn't test for the right type of Ebola that had been spreading for weeks before confirmation.
Health workers are dealing with minimal resources, as aid agencies struggle to bring supplies into the region. Masks, gloves, boots, and medications were initially in short supply.
“There has been an erosion of the health system,” said Heather Kerr, country director for the International Rescue Committee in Congo. “There has not been investment in the health system, and this has been going on for years.”
Tough conditions for health workers
“During the first week, we did not even have time to go home and eat. The second week was the same. We only eat once a day, what amounts to breakfast in the evening,” said Alice Bamuhinga, a nurse at the Mongbwalu hospital.
Even with widespread skepticism and disregard for health protocols, many in the town are becoming aware of the outbreak's severity. Asero Jeanne, 52, lost two of her children to the disease within two weeks. When her daughter became ill, the family thought it was malaria, and neighbors advised them to avoid the hospital, saying “anyone who went there would die immediately.”
The daughter died after three weeks of moving between hospitals and home, followed by her son, who died days later. Then Jeanne became sick.
“I saw about 20 people die,” Jeanne said. “I watched them being taken to the morgue, yet God is allowing me to leave here alive. I thank the doctors.”
UN health agency offers a plan
Tedros launched a $518 million plan to combat the outbreak, emphasizing that “containing Ebola depends on political commitment, sustained financing, and the trust and engagement of communities.”
Efforts to contain the disease have also been hindered by conflict between the government and Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group, as well as attacks by Islamist militants.
For health workers on the front line of Congo's Ebola outbreak, the work has become harder as the disease spreads faster than their current treatment capacity.
“Despite the alerts we receive and the teams we have on site, we lack the means to travel into the field,” Lokudu said. “As a result, there are alerts we are unable to investigate.”
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