The Korle-Bu Doctors Association (KODA) has warned it will embark on an industrial strike at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital from 2 May if concerns over laboratory operations and proposed outpatient service reforms are not addressed by the end of Thursday, 30 April 2026.
In a formal notice, the association said its members would withdraw services if management fails to resolve what it described as “serious threats” to patient safety and professional standards. Key among the issues is the alleged exclusion of Laboratory Physicians from the hospital’s Central Laboratory and plans to introduce 24-hour specialist outpatient services.
On the laboratory dispute, KODA accused members of the Ghana Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of restricting access to the Central Laboratory and attempting to determine who is permitted to practise within the facility.
The association described the situation as unacceptable, citing reports that Laboratory Physicians have been barred from working and, in some instances, threatened.
KODA is demanding the immediate reinstatement of all Laboratory Physicians and trainee doctors to the Central Laboratory by April 30, stressing that leadership of laboratory departments should be based strictly on professional merit and institutional standards, without interference from unions or external bodies.
It also called for all specialised laboratory results to be reviewed and validated by qualified Laboratory Physicians before release, alongside unrestricted access to laboratory systems and equipment for clinical and academic work.
The association further urged hospital management to launch a comprehensive investigation into the alleged threats against its members and take disciplinary and protective measures to ensure staff safety.
On policy, KODA strongly opposed the proposed rollout of 24-hour specialist outpatient services, arguing that round-the-clock outpatient care is already being provided through the hospital’s polyclinic.
It contended that the policy, which it linked to the broader 24-hour economy agenda of President John Dramani Mahama, appears to be misapplied, warning that the current framework risks overburdening existing staff rather than engaging additional personnel as intended.
“The current implementation framework does not appear to reflect this distinction,” the statement said.
KODA urged management to prioritise improving efficiency within existing outpatient services instead of extending working hours for current staff.
The association warned that failure to meet its demands by the stated deadline would trigger a full withdrawal of services from May 2, a move it says is aimed at safeguarding patient care, maintaining professional standards, and preserving the long-term functionality of the hospital.
Asaase 99.5 Accra, Asaase 98.5 Kumasi, Asaase 100.3 Cape Coast, AsaasePa 107.3 (Accra)
Affiliates: Bawku FM 101.5, Bead FM 99.9 (Bimbilla), Mining City Radio 89.5 (Tarkwa), Nandom FM 101.9, Nyatefe Radio 94.5 (Dzodze), Sissala Radio 96.3 (Tumu), Somuaa FM 89.9 (Gushegu), Stone City 90.7 (Ho) and Wale FM 106.9 (Walewale)
Listen online: atlanticafricanews.com/, Sound Garden and TuneIn
Follow us:
X: @asaaseradio995, @Asaase985ksi, @asaase1003, asaasepa1073
Instagram: asaaseradio99.5, asaase985ksi, asaase100.3, asaasepa107.3
LinkedIn: company/asaaseradio995. TikTok: @asaaseradio99.5
Facebook: asaase99.5, asaase985ksi, Asaase100.3, AsaasePa107.3
YouTube: AsaaseRadioXtra
Join the conversation. Accra: call 020 000 9951/050 009 0121, WhatsApp 020 000 0995. Kumasi: call 059 415 7985 or call/WhatsApp 020 631 5260. Cape Coast: call/WhatsApp 059 388 2652.
#AsaaseRadio
#AsaasePa
#TheVoiceofOurLand
