Tension is mounting at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital as doctors warn they may withdraw their services in the coming days.

The Korle-Bu Doctors Association (KODA) has issued a notice threatening an industrial action from May 2 if hospital management fails to address a series of demands by the close of Thursday, April 30, 2026.

At the heart of the dispute are disagreements over laboratory operations and a proposed shift to 24-hour specialist outpatient services.

Doctors say the situation in the hospital’s Central Laboratory has become increasingly troubling.

According to the Association, Laboratory Physicians have been sidelined, with some allegedly denied access to their own workspace and, in certain cases, threatened.

The group insists that this does not only undermine professional standards but could also compromise the quality of care patients receive.

KODA is demanding the immediate reinstatement of all Laboratory Physicians and trainee doctors into the Central Laboratory, stressing that leadership roles within laboratory departments must be based strictly on merit and established institutional guidelines, not influenced by external pressure from unions or professional groups.

They are also calling for proper oversight of laboratory results, insisting that specialised tests be reviewed and validated by qualified Laboratory Physicians before being released.

Beyond the laboratory dispute, the doctors have raised red flags over plans to introduce 24-hour specialist outpatient services across departments.

While acknowledging the importance of accessible healthcare, they argue that the hospital already runs a 24-hour outpatient service through its polyclinic, and expanding this model without clear planning could overstretch staff and weaken care delivery.

“KODA draws Management’s attention to the fact that the 24-Hour Economy Policy of His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama, which appears to inform this directive, contemplates the engagement of additional personnel to cover afternoon and night shifts, not the extension of existing working hours for the same employees.

“The current implementation framework does not appear to reflect this distinction,” the statement added.

The Association is therefore calling for the immediate withdrawal of the directive, pending broader consultations and the development of a clear, well-resourced policy framework.

In the meantime, they are urging management to focus on improving efficiency within existing outpatient services.

KODA has also requested a full investigation into alleged threats against its members, with calls for appropriate disciplinary and protective measures to ensure staff safety and maintain the integrity of hospital operations.

NA/VPO