Doctors at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital have discontinued all Out-Patient Department (OPD) services due to an unresolved deadlock between Laboratory Physicians and Medical Laboratory Scientists at the facility’s Central Laboratory.
The Korle Bu Doctors Association (KODA) declared the industrial action, which went into force on Monday, May 4, 2026.
According to the Association, the decision was made in response to ongoing conflicts that it feels jeopardise clinical judgement and patient safety.
In a statement released on Sunday, May 3, KODA cautioned that if the issue is not resolved quickly, it may worsen.
Starting on Monday, May 4, 2026, KODA will no longer provide Out-Patient Services (OPD). In-patient service suspension escalation will be announced in due course, according to the statement.
According to the Association, members of the Ghana Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists illegally restricted access to the Central Laboratory, which is why the action was taken.
This has prompted efforts to regulate who is allowed to practise in the facility, according to KODA.
Before being released, KODA requires that all specialist laboratory results be examined and verified by licensed laboratory physicians.
Additionally, it advocates for unlimited access to lab equipment and systems for both academic and clinical work.
In order to guarantee employee safety and uphold operational integrity, the Association has also encouraged hospital management to look into claims of threats against its members and take the necessary preventive and disciplinary actions.
In terms of policy, KODA strongly opposed the planned implementation of 24-hour specialised outpatient services, claiming that the hospital already offers 24-hour outpatient treatment via the Korle-Bu Polyclinic.
The Association agreed that patients would be inconvenienced by the disruption, but maintained that the measure was required.
The statement said, “We regret the inevitable inconvenience to our patients; however, this action is necessary to ensure patient safety and the long-term stability and professional standards of the hospital.”
Source: newsthemegh.com