The Korle-Bu Doctors Association (KODA) has issued a notice indicating they will begin an industrial strike at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital on saturday, May 2, 2026, if a list of their demands on lab operation and a change of concept to outpatient services are not addressed before close of Thursday, April 30, 2026.
In a statement to the Hospital management, KODA says members will boycott services until the administration resolves “ grave threats “ to the lives of patients and the integrity of their work namely, the alleged denial of the Korle-Bu hospital-based Laboratory Physicians from entry into the Central Laboratory at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital and the proposed introduction of a 24 hour specialist outpatient services.
Regarding the Central Laboratory issue, the Association alleged that members of the Ghana Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists were wrongfully denying access to the Laboratory and were dictating to whom entry should be given to work there. The Association claims doctors in charge of laboratories at KBTH are allegedly being prevented from working and at instances being threatened by members of the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists.
The Korle-Bu Doctors’ Association wants the swift reinstatement of all laboratory physicians and trainees to the central laboratory by close of day April 30. It insists in the notice that heads of laboratory departments should be appointed purely on professional merit and based on the regulations of the hospital without union influence.
The association also wants unrestricted access for all laboratory scientists in and out of the systems to carry out their clinical and academic functions and that any specialised laboratory results must be reviewed and certified by duly qualified laboratory physicians before they are signed out. It also wants the management of KBTH to initiate an immediate and thorough investigation into all allegations of threats made against its members and consider appropriate disciplinary actions and security measures in order to safeguard personnel and ensure seamless operation.
On the issue of policy, the Korle-Bu Doctors’ Association strongly opposed the proposal to run 24 hour specialised outpatient services. It says the KBTH already runs a 24-hour outpatient facility in the form of the Polyclinic. Running same in all departments without clearly defined policies, adequate staffing and financial backing would over burden existing staff and endanger the lives of patients.
The policy the Association says, is contrary to the 24- Hour Economy Policy of President John Dramani Mahama and appears to involve extending hours of work of the same personnel rather than employing more staff to work additional shifts. We wish to call on management to withdraw the 24-hour OPD order immediately pending a comprehensive policy framework and wide consultation with clinical departments.
Management should rather focus on optimising current outpatient services as an immediate measure. The KODA says if these requests are not met by April 30, then members of the Association will withdraw all services come May 2, in the interest of patients safety, maintain of standards and the overall survival of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.
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