Medical laboratory workers at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital will embark on industrial action tomorrow, Wednesday, following management’s failure to address their demands regarding the management of the hospital’s Central Lab and related matters. The action is expected to adversely affect health services at the hospital.

A Notice of Industrial Action issued today by the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital Chapter of the Medical Laboratory Professional Workers Union (MELPWU) indicates that general laboratory services will be closed to the public.

The planned strike, according to the union, follows 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, explains that the strike will 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. However, the Blood Bank and Laboratory Services at the Cardiothoracic Centre will 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 warns 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 refusal 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 privatize 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 privatization 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.

Copies of the notice have been forwarded to the National Labour Commission, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Labour, Jobs and Employment.