Ebola Crisis: Nurses Demand Pay and Protection

The International Council of Nurses (ICN) is urgently calling on Democratic Republic of Congo authorities to ensure healthcare workers receive proper pay and protection amid the ongoing deadly Ebola outbreak. Many nurses and health professionals have reportedly worked for two to three months without pay, all while facing life-threatening risks.

The ICN emphasizes that paying healthcare workers is fundamental to combating Ebola effectively. Nurses are risking their lives to protect communities, and many are still awaiting overdue wages. The organization is demanding immediate payment of all outstanding wages and risk allowances, alongside guaranteed regular payments and necessary protection to perform their duties safely.

This 17th Ebola outbreak in the DRC, declared on May 15, 2026, is spreading at an alarming rate, surpassing previous outbreaks. The World Health Organization (WHO) chief noted that the outbreak had a significant head start and containment efforts are currently playing catch-up. A high proportion of deaths are occurring within communities rather than treatment units, complicating control measures.

To address the escalating crisis, plans are in motion to triple treatment capacity, aiming for 3,000 beds within 12 weeks. Additionally, efforts are underway to recruit and train thousands more health workers. The current outbreak is driven by the Bundibugyo species of Ebola, for which no approved vaccines or treatments exist, adding further complexity to the response.