Medical laboratory workers at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital will begin industrial action on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, after hospital management failed to address long-standing demands concerning leadership and operations at the Central Laboratory.
The Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital Chapter of the Medical Laboratory Professional Workers Union (MELPWU) issued a Notice of Industrial Action, copied to the Ghana News Agency on Tuesday.
The strike will proceed in two phases:
Phase One (February 4–8, 2026)
Suspension of all Out-Patient Department (OPD) laboratory services
Only skeletal staff will handle emergency cases for in-patients
Laboratory samples requiring follow-up beyond February 8 will not be accepted
Phase Two (from Monday, February 9, 2026)
Total withdrawal of all medical laboratory services, including the Blood Bank and services at the Cardiothoracic Centre
The union warned that the national leadership may escalate the action further if demands are not met.
Key grievances include:
Failure to appoint a substantive Head of Laboratory Services and Laboratory Manager despite completed interviews
Removal of acting officers without replacement
Persistent withholding of essential laboratory logistics, causing operational disruptions and risks to patient safety
Alleged plans to privatise or outsource the Central Laboratory without engaging the union
The union accused management of “deliberate neglect” and breaching its duty to ensure effective leadership and continuity of essential health services.
MELPWU had earlier issued a seven-day ultimatum that expired on Tuesday, February 4, with no resolution reached.
While proceeding with the strike, the union assured stakeholders of its commitment to protecting patient safety and staff welfare during the action.
The strike is expected to significantly disrupt laboratory services at Ghana’s largest teaching hospital, affecting patient diagnosis, treatment monitoring and emergency care.
