The Medical Laboratory Workers Union has demanded an immediate retraction and public apology from the Korle Bu Doctors Association (KODA), accusing some doctors of making misleading and reckless remarks about laboratory professionals amid an escalating standoff at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.
According to the Union, the doctors have alleged that results from the Central Laboratory are not fully reliable, leading them in some cases to refer patients to private facilities, one of the reasons they are demanding full access to the laboratory.
However, the Medical Laboratory Workers Union says such claims are untrue and thus undermine public confidence in laboratory services and misrepresent the critical role of medical laboratory scientists in patient care.
Speaking on Citi Prime News, the union’s General Secretary, Dr. Cephas Akortor, insisted that laboratory investigations at Korle Bu remain reliable and are central to clinical decision-making.
He argued that the current dispute is not about access to laboratory data, but rather an attempt by the doctors to assume control of laboratory operations, an assertion the Union strongly rejects.
According to him, doctors already have full access to results through the hospital’s electronic systems.
“When people want something, and they don’t get it, they find funny ways to get it. They think they can go around to discredit laboratory professionals just to make us look bad. We all know that in this country, doctors are not trained to do testing. Doctors are trained to be in the consulting room attending to patients,” he said.
Dr. Akortor described the comments as “misleading and reckless,” insisting that they warrant a retraction and apology
“The comments by the Korle Bu Doctors Association are very misleading and reckless, and I think they deserve to give an apology. I stand here as the General Secretary of the Medical Laboratory Workers Union to demand an immediate retraction of that statement and an apology to the entire Ghanaian population,” he added.
The development comes as tensions at Korle Bu have already triggered industrial action, with doctors withdrawing all Out-Patient Department (OPD) services from Monday, May 4, 2026.
The Korle Bu Doctors Association (KODA) says the decision follows unresolved disagreements involving laboratory professionals at the hospital’s Central Laboratory, which it claims are affecting clinical work and patient safety.
KODA has warned of a possible escalation to the suspension of in-patient services if concerns are not addressed. It is also calling for unrestricted access to laboratory systems and the mandatory validation of specialised test results by Laboratory Physicians before release.
Despite the disruption, the Association maintains that the action is necessary in the interest of patient care and safety.
Korle Bu Doctors withdraw all OPD services over laboratory dispute
