Stories
Congo Faces Critical Health Worker Shortage as Ebola Outbreak Worsens, WHO Warns
N
News18•23-09-2026, 23:30
Congo Faces Critical Health Worker Shortage as Ebola Outbreak Worsens, WHO Warns
- •Congo is experiencing a severe shortage of health workers for Ebola treatment centers, particularly in North Kivu where cases surged 73% in three weeks.
- •The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that the outbreak remains uncontrolled and is spreading under difficult conditions, including insecurity and a health workers' strike.
- •Despite declines in some provinces like Ituri, the overall outbreak is on track to surpass the deadliest 2014-2016 West Africa Ebola outbreak.
- •A significant human resources gap exists, with one Ebola treatment center requiring around 300 health professionals, many of whom are unpaid.
- •Children under five face the highest case fatality rate, over 60%, and their symptoms are difficult to detect and diagnose.
Key Questions Answered
Congo is facing a critical human resources gap as treatment centers require about 300 health professionals each, but facilities lack sufficient staff and partners. Additionally, frontline workers previously went on strike over unpaid wages after payroll verification issues, which further worsened access to care.
Children under the age of five have the highest case fatality rate in the outbreak, exceeding 60 percent compared to approximately 40 percent among adults. Detecting cases in this young age group is particularly difficult because children cannot easily explain their symptoms.
Latest government figures cited by the World Health Organization show that the outbreak has reached seven provinces with 7,773 confirmed cases and 3,759 deaths.
