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Gemena
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Nation / PlaceCD

Gemena

Capital of Sud-Ubangi province, DR Congo.

Gemena's province, Sud-Ubangi, became the seventh hit by DR Congo's Ebola outbreak on 10 September 2026, and its doctors were on strike over pay when the second case was confirmed.

Last refreshed: 4 October 2026

Timeline for Gemena

#14 10 Sept

Mentioned in: Ebola reaches Sud-Ubangi by river boat

Pandemics and Biosecurity
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Background

Gemena is the capital of Sud-Ubangi province in north-western DR Congo. The province borders the Central African Republic and the Republic of Congo across the Ubangi river.

In September 2026 the city became the administrative centre of a new Ebola front, after an index case arrived in the province from Kisangani, about 1,000 km away, by river boat. Doctors' pay grievances shaped the first weeks of the response. Across DR Congo's provinces, unregistered doctors often strike during outbreaks, when their work is needed most.

Gemena is also an air gateway for aid and mining workers, which makes it a screening point for people travelling in and out of the province.

Key Issues
Ebola outbreak

Striking doctors met the province's first cases

Interim governor Jean-René Galekwa Vundawe confirmed a case in the Gbulu health zone on 10 September 2026, making Sud-Ubangi the seventh province hit by the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak. Two cases had been confirmed by 1 October.

From Gemena, the provincial capital, the response ran into a Labour dispute. Doctors posted to the province since 2023 began a strike on 16 September, demanding to be entered on the provincial health division's payroll and brought into the Ebola response. Their collective, represented by Dr Grâce Ngilase, kept striking as the second case was confirmed, Radio Okapi reported. Aid and mining workers WHO fly into Gemena may face new screening.

Common Questions
Is there Ebola in Gemena?
Sud-Ubangi, whose capital is Gemena, had two confirmed cases by 1 October 2026, both in the Gbulu health zone.Source: https://www.radiookapi.net/2026/10/01/actualite/sante/sud-ubangi-deux-cas-debola-confirmes-sur-fond-de-greve-des-medecins
Why are doctors on strike in Sud-Ubangi?
Doctors posted since 2023 say they are missing from the provincial payroll list. They struck on 16 September 2026 and want a role in the Ebola response.Source: https://www.radiookapi.net/2026/09/17/actualite/societe/les-medecins-exclus-des-listes-de-paie-declenchent-une-greve-seche-en
What is the capital of Sud-Ubangi?
Gemena, in north-western DR Congo.Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gemena
Source Material
Les médecins exclus des listes de paie déclenchent une grève sècheSud-Ubangi : deux cas d'Ebola confirmés sur fond de grève des médecins