Health workers at the epicenter of Congo’s Ebola outbreak labor with little pay or rest
MONGBWALU, Congo (AP) — Mongbwalu General Referral Hospital medical director Dr. Richard Lokudu received almost no compensation for his work on the front lines of a hospital. of Congo Deadliest Ebola virus outbreaks.
Lokudu and several colleagues work at the hospital all day, treating the influx of patients. Reports of suspected cases come even late at night.
“I didn’t get my allowance (and) what happened to others could happen to me,” Lokudu told the Associated Press. “Despite all the infection prevention and control measures we have in place, we don’t know what could happen.”
Health officials believe the outbreak, which has taken Congo’s eastern region by surprise after spreading quietly unnoticed for weeks, started in the bustling mining district of Mongbwalu in Ituri province.
Mining conditions are conducive to the spread of the virus
Mongbwalu became the epicenter of the earthquake rare Bundibugyo species. The town attracts a large number of workers working 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 likelihood of transmission of the disease, which spreads through close contact with bodily fluids such as sweat, blood, feces and vomit of the sick and deceased.
There is also widespread skepticism about the diseaseWhile this made medical treatment for Lokudu and his colleagues even more difficult, some healthcare workers and first responders died due to the disease.
“It’s one thing to be away and hear the statistics being reported, but what’s happening on the field is huge,” Lokudu said. “People sacrifice their rest and comfort for this cause. It must be acknowledged that they deserve their compensation. These workers must receive their salaries regularly.”
Congo’s government did not respond to AP’s request for comment.
Minimum resources available
Congolese authorities have confirmed 452 cases, including 82 deaths. On Thursday, the Central African country recorded 71 new cases a day, which officials said was a sign of “active community transmission.”
There is no approved vaccine or treatment for the rare Bundibugyo strain, so health care providers target symptoms. At least five people have recovered from Ebola since the outbreak was officially confirmed by Congo’s Ministry of Health on May 15, the government said.
The disease “provided a huge advantage” According to the World Health Organization Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Hospitals in the region were unable to test for the correct strain of Ebola, which began spreading several weeks before it was confirmed.
Health workers are fighting the disease with minimal resources as institutions are intervened They are trying to get help to the region. Masks, gloves, boots and medicine were initially in short supply.
“There is an erosion of the health system,” said Heather Kerr, country director of the International Rescue Committee in Congo. “There has been no investment in the healthcare system and this has been going on for years.”
Difficult conditions of healthcare workers
“The first week we didn’t even have time to go home and eat. The second week was the same. We only eat once a day, which means breakfast in the evening,” said Alice Bamuhinga, a nurse at Mongbwalu hospital.
Despite widespread skepticism and disregard for health protocols, many in the town are waking up to the serious reality of the epidemic.
Asero Jeanne had five children. Two people died from the disease within two weeks. According to Jeanne, 52, when her daughter fell ill, the family thought it was malaria and neighbors advised them to stay away from the hospital, saying “anyone who goes there will die immediately.”
Her daughter died after wandering between hospitals and home for three weeks, and then her son died days later. Then Jeanne fell ill.
“I saw about 20 people die,” Jeanne said. “I watched them being taken to the morgue, but God allows me to leave here alive. I thank the doctors.”
The World Health Organization offers a plan
WHO director-general Tedros on Friday launched a $518 million plan to fight the epidemic, saying “containing Ebola depends on political commitment, sustainable financing, and the trust and participation of communities.”
Efforts to control the disease have been hampered by attacks by Islamist militants as well as conflict between the government and the Rwandan-backed M23 rebel group.
The job of healthcare workers on the front lines of combating the Ebola outbreak in Congo has become even more difficult as the disease spreads faster than existing treatment capacities.
Lokudu said, “Despite the warnings we received and the teams on the field, we do not have the opportunity to go to the field.” “As a result, there are warnings that we cannot investigate.”
___
Adetayo reported from Lagos, Nigeria.
