The Congolese government has secured a landmark agreement with medical professionals’ unions, ending weeks of industrial action that threatened to cripple the nation’s healthcare system. In a landmark announcement following the 94th Council of Ministers meeting, Minister of Fisheries and Livestock Jean-Pierre Tshimanga Bwana, standing in for the absent Health Minister Samuel Roger Kamba, outlined significant concessions made to address the sector’s longstanding grievances.

Under the agreement reached after intensive negotiations on June 23 and July 7, the government has committed to integrating all supplementary salary payments into official payrolls starting Q3 2026. Additionally, 200 doctors will receive immediate salary alignment, with priority given to medical professionals serving in the National Police (PNC), Armed Forces (FARDC), and Higher Education sectors.

The executive also pledged to fast-track administrative processing for doctors under special regimes and accelerate payroll sanitation to eliminate ghost workers and ensure accurate compensation. “Both parties agreed to address broader professional alignment for medical staff in August 2026,” Tshimanga Bwana confirmed during the briefing.

In response to these breakthroughs, the health workers’ union coordination announced the immediate suspension of their nationwide strike, which had escalated into the “Hospitals Without Doctors” campaign from July 7-16. The industrial action had severely disrupted services, with only emergency departments and blood banks remaining operational. “Given these developments, the health unions have decided to lift the strike,” the minister declared.

The resolution follows weeks of escalating tensions between medical professionals and authorities. The Synamed union had accused the government of failing to honor previous commitments and demanded direct dialogue with Prime Minister Sama Lukonde, despite presidential instructions to engage with the health ministry. The breakthrough represents a significant victory for healthcare workers while ensuring continued medical services for the population.

Clément Muamba