Korle-Bu Lab Workers to Embark on Strike on February 4
Medical laboratory workers at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital will embark on industrial action on Wednesday, following management’s failure to address pressing demands regarding the management of the hospital’s Central Lab and related matters.
The action is expected to significantly disrupt health services at the hospital.
A Notice of Industrial Action issued and copied to the Ghana News Agency on Tuesday by the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital Chapter of the Medical Laboratory Professional Workers Union (MELPWU) indicated that general laboratory services would be closed to the public.
The planned strike, according to the union, followed the persistent failure of hospital management to resolve critical leadership and operational challenges affecting medical laboratory services.
The notice, signed by John Kofi Nakoja, local chairman of MELPWU, and addressed to the Chief Executive Officer of the hospital, explained that the strike would be executed in two phases.
“Phase one, which takes effect from 4th to 8th February 2026, will see the suspension of all Out-Patient Department (OPD) laboratory services. Only skeletal staff will be available to handle emergency cases for in-patients. In addition, laboratory samples requiring follow-up beyond 8th February 2026 will not be accepted”.
It, however, added that the Blood Bank and Laboratory Services at the Cardiothoracic Centre would continue to operate for patients under intensive care.
“Phase two, beginning Monday, 9th February 2026, will involve a total withdrawal of all medical laboratory services at the hospital, including services at the Blood Bank and the Cardiothoracic Centre”.
The union also warned of a possible escalation of the action by its national leadership.
In its earlier Notice to embark on Industrial Action, the union cited management’s failure to appoint a substantive Head of Laboratory Services and a Laboratory Manager for the Korle-Bu Central Laboratory, despite completed interview processes.
It also raised concerns about the removal of acting officers without replacement.
An earlier Notice of Strike issued last week with a seven-day ultimatum further accused management of withholding essential laboratory logistics, leading to serious operational disruptions and potential risks to patient safety.
“It appears Management is deliberately withholding essential logistics, resulting in significant operational challenges that threaten effective health service delivery,” the notice stated.
The union also accused management of pursuing plans to privatise or outsource the Central Laboratory without engaging the union as a key stakeholder, describing the move as administrative neglect and a breach of management’s duty to ensure effective leadership and continuity of essential health services.
MELPWU demanded that management, within seven days of receipt of the notice, appoint a qualified Head of Laboratory Services, a substantive Laboratory Manager, and a Director of Allied Health Services, and suspend any privatisation or outsourcing agenda pending engagement with the union.
However, with the ultimatum expiring on Tuesday, 4th February 2026, and no resolution reached, the union has proceeded with a sit-down strike across all laboratories in the hospital.
While announcing the strike, the union assured stakeholders of its commitment to protecting patient safety and staff welfare.
Source: GNA
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