All articles tagged with #health workers
The UN warns the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is spreading exponentially, with the death toll surpassing 2,500 as conflict, funding shortages, and attacks on health workers hinder containment; more than 260 attacks on health staff, 43 worker deaths, and no vaccine for the Bundibugyo strain, fuel urgent calls for more funding and personnel to curb regional spread.
Ebola is spreading in eastern Congo as case detection and contact tracing lag behind, leaving overworked health workers stretched thin amid security and access hurdles while response measures continue.
Frontline health workers in Bunia, DR Congo, say they have not received government wages while fighting what the WHO calls the largest Ebola outbreak in the country, threatening strikes or withdrawals as MSF notes timely pay is crucial; the outbreak, fueled by conflict and mistrust, has strained facilities and raised the risk that unpaid wages could undermine efforts to contain the virus.
Ebola deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo have risen to at least 1,309 with confirmed cases near 2,973, marking a rapid surge in what experts call the fastest-spreading outbreak yet. The Bundibugyo variant, which has no approved vaccines, is driving the spread in a conflict-affected region, straining healthcare workers and facilities amid shortages and strikes. A rapidly developed experimental vaccine is in early trials, while officials urge immediate action and better access for responders to curb the crisis.
In Bunia, Ituri, the Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC is surging (2,500+ cases and 1,000+ deaths by late July), driven by a difficult Bundibugyo strain and delayed detection, while frontline workers cope with PPE shortages, risk of infection, and hostility from distrustful communities; more than 100 health workers have been infected and about 35 have died, with ongoing strikes as salaries remain unpaid since May.
Violence and safety concerns are hampering the Ebola outbreak response in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with more than 12 attacks on health facilities and workers recorded, complicating containment efforts.
Health workers in Congo’s Ebola epicenter (Ituri) walk off the job due to unpaid wages and bonuses since May, risking slower outbreak response as cases reach 1,708 with 580 deaths; protesters complain limited protective gear and unfair treatment, while authorities say payments are being addressed and disruptions like airport closures hinder funding flow.
Angry residents in eastern Congo burned a tent at an Ebola treatment center, allowing 18 suspected patients to escape; the attack follows another center being set ablaze, while burials and response efforts continue as the outbreak expands and WHO raises Congo’s risk level; U.S. travel restrictions for recent visitors from affected countries are also in place.
Medical teams in the Democratic Republic of Congo are racing to contain a fast-spreading Ebola outbreak, expanding vaccination and contact-tracing efforts as transmission climbs in hotspot areas and international partners coordinate support to prevent cross-border spread.
Sonoma County has mandated masking for healthcare workers in certain facilities caring for vulnerable populations through March to reduce the spread of influenza, COVID-19, and other respiratory viruses, focusing on areas where patients and staff interact, with the order being reissued annually based on surveillance data.
Israeli strikes in Lebanon have resulted in the deaths of 52 people, including five health-care workers, amid ongoing accusations against Hezbollah for allegedly using ambulances to transport fighters. The World Health Organization condemned the attacks on Lebanon's health sector, highlighting a concerning pattern of violence against health workers. In Gaza, medical staff were injured in an attack on Kamal Adwan Hospital, with Israeli forces denying awareness of the strike. The WHO reported a high percentage of fatal attacks on health care in Lebanon, surpassing other global conflicts.
A new report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals a mental health crisis among health workers, with nearly half reporting feeling burned out in 2022, up from under a third four years prior. The report also highlights a doubling of health workers reporting harassment at work. Health workers face worse mental health outcomes compared to employees in other industries. The findings come after the largest healthcare worker strike in US history, where 75,000 employees cited burnout and chronic staffing shortages. The CDC calls for immediate preventive actions, including improved workplace policies and practices, supportive work environments, and encouraging employee participation in decision-making.
A new report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals a "mental health crisis" among health workers, with nearly half reporting burnout in 2022, up from under a third four years prior. The report also highlights a doubling of health workers experiencing harassment at work. Health workers face worse mental health outcomes compared to other industries, and previous research has shown an increased risk of suicide among healthcare workers. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated workplace challenges, leading to a rise in mental health complications, substance abuse, and suicidal ideation. The study emphasizes the need for improved workplace policies and practices to prevent burnout and mental health issues among health workers.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has requested that Russia allow aid workers into territory seized from Ukraine in order to help people affected by the collapse of the Nova Kakhovka dam. The WHO is assisting flooded zones in Ukraine, sending people and equipment to help with disaster relief. The organization is concerned with the health situation in territory controlled by Russia, to which it doesn't have access. Patients suffering from chronic diseases are most at risk from disruption created by the flooding if they can't access medical care. The WHO has been in discussion with Russia for more than half a year to allow health workers to reach Luhansk, Donetsk and other Russian-controlled territories, where people are also facing medicines shortages.
Kate Middleton visited health workers in Nuneaton to promote early years development as part of her Shaping Us Campaign. She wore a chic £490 shirt dress from Cefinn and accessorized with a Mulberry bag and Jimmy Choo pumps. The health workers are part of a £50,000 NHS project funded by Kate's Royal Foundation for Early Years Development, which is trialling a new model of assessing babies' wellbeing called the Alarm Distress Baby Scale. The model uses indicators to understand the happiness of babies and supports parents with bonding and attachment to their children.