Medical laboratory professionals at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital have commenced a staged industrial action that is already slowing critical diagnostic services, with a complete withdrawal of laboratory operations expected from next week if their concerns remain unresolved.

The Korle Bu branch of the Medical Laboratory Professional Workers’ Union (MELPWU) rolled out a sit-down strike on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, significantly scaling down activities across all laboratories within the hospital.

Under the first phase, which runs until Sunday, February 8, routine laboratory services for Outpatient Department (OPD) cases have been suspended, leaving many patients without access to essential tests. Only a limited team has been assigned to handle emergency cases for patients already on admission.

A strike directive signed by Chapter Chairman John Kofi Nakoja further indicated that specimens requiring follow-up beyond February 8 will no longer be accepted, signalling a gradual transition toward a complete shutdown.

For now, the Blood Bank and the Cardiothoracic Centre Laboratory remain operational strictly for critical cases, while non-urgent requests are being turned away.

The union has, however, warned that from Monday, February 9, 202