A major crisis is looming at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital as Medical Laboratory Professional Workers have initiated a phased industrial action, with a full shutdown of services expected next week.
The Korle Bu branch of the Medical Laboratory Professional Workers’ Union (MELPWU) began a sit-down strike across all hospital laboratories on Wednesday, February 4, 2026.
This first phase, which runs until Sunday, February 8, has significantly disrupted services and is likely to affect thousands of outpatients.
Per a strike notice signed by Chapter Chairman John Kofi Nakoja, members have been instructed to suspend all outpatient department (OPD) services during this period.
A limited number of staff have, however, been assigned to attend to emergency cases involving current in-patients.
The union further indicated that samples requiring follow-up beyond February 8 will not be processed, signaling a gradual shutdown of operations.
Meanwhile, essential services at the hospital’s Blood Bank and the Cardiothoracic Centre Laboratory are still operational, but strictly for intensive care patients.
The situation is expected to worsen from Monday, February 9, 2026, when the union moves into the second phase of the strike, involving a complete withdrawal of all laboratory services across the hospital.
This phase will also affect the Blood Bank and Cardiothoracic Centre laboratories, effectively crippling a critical diagnostic arm of the facility.
The notice also cautions that the national union may escalate the action if concerns remain unresolved.
The strike follows a statutory notice issued on January 27, 2026, to the Minister of Health, hospital management, and the National Labour Commission.
Although the exact grievances were not outlined in the public notice, such actions are typically linked to unresolved issues surrounding working conditions, allowances, or broader service concerns.
If unresolved, the industrial action could severely disrupt non-emergency services, delay diagnoses and treatments, and lead to the postponement of surgeries at the hospital.
Source: NANA ACHIAA ABOAGYE
