DRC Doctors’ Strike Continues as SYNAMED Rejects Government Claims of Agreement

Kinshasa, July 13, 2026 - The doctors’ strike in public hospitals affiliated with the National Union of Doctors (SYNAMED) is continuing despite government statements announcing the end of the movement following a reported agreement with medical unions. SYNAMED’s provincial executive secretary for Kinshasa, Dr. Patrick Boloko, rejected the government’s announcement, arguing that the conclusions presented after the 94th meeting of the Council of Ministers do not reflect the position of doctors on the ground. According to the union representative, the minutes of discussions between doctors and government officials were rejected by the rank and file, who considered that the document contained no clear commitments or guarantees regarding their demands. Dr. Boloko explained that a working session was held with the Minister of Health, resulting in the signing of meeting minutes. However, he criticized the fact that the document did not include concrete financial commitments from key government officials responsible for budgetary decisions, particularly the Deputy Prime Minister in charge of the Budget and the Minister of Finance. For SYNAMED, ending the strike cannot be decided solely by union representatives but must be approved by doctors themselves. Since the rank and file rejected the report, the union maintains that the strike remains active. The doctors are demanding several measures, including the integration of additional payments into the third-quarter payroll process, the inclusion of at least 800 doctors on the official salary scale, and the regularization of thousands of medical professionals who currently work without salaries or benefits. The union also criticized delays in implementing salary adjustments, arguing that quarterly reviews expected in January and April were not carried out, increasing frustration among medical staff. The dispute escalated after SYNAMED launched its “Hospitals Without Doctors” operation on July 7, following weeks of unsuccessful negotiations with authorities. The movement was initially announced from July 7 to 16, 2026, across the country, except in Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu provinces. During the strike, only emergency services and blood banks were expected to remain operational, with urgent cases redirected to designated healthcare facilities. SYNAMED maintains that dialogue remains possible and says it is willing to continue negotiations with the government. However, the union insists that concrete commitments must be made before doctors consider suspending their action. The disagreement highlights growing tensions between medical professionals and authorities over working conditions, salary adjustments, and the implementation of previously discussed commitments within the public health sector.