We are not on strike; we are auditing lab machines - Lab scientists at KBTH

Laboratory scientists at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital have denied reports that they are on strike, insisting that laboratory services at the facility are still operational, although functioning at reduced capacity due to ongoing system audits and verification exercises.

The clarification follows growing public concern over disruptions in laboratory services at Ghana’s premier referral hospital amid tensions surrounding the appointment of medical doctors to head laboratory departments.

Speaking in an interview with 3news journalist Evelyn Tengmaa, the Korle Bu Local Chapter Chairman of the Ghana Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists, John Kofi Nacojja, explained that laboratory scientists are conducting internal audits after allegations surfaced claiming that more than 50 percent of laboratory test results issued by the hospital were inaccurate.

According to Mr Nacojja, the allegations — reportedly made by a medical doctor — raised serious concerns about the integrity of laboratory services and triggered mandatory audit procedures required under international accreditation standards.

“We are not on strike,” he stressed.

“The laboratory practice is a science on its own. We are doing system audits because allegations were made that more than 50 percent of our results are wrong. As accredited laboratories, we are mandated by international standards to investigate such claims,” he explained.

Mr Nacojja stated that some laboratory machines have been temporarily shut down for verification and calibration while others remain operational to ensure that critical patient services continue.

He explained that the laboratories are following international accreditation protocols under the American Association of Laboratory Accreditation and ISO standards.

“At least one machine must remain operational while another undergoes system audits. We cannot shut down everything at the same time because patients still depend on us,” he said.

According to him, public confidence in the hospital’s laboratory services has been negatively affected since the allegations emerged.

“On a normal busy Monday, we receive over 100 samples, but after the statement was made, we could barely cross 50. Patients and relatives are calling to ask whether they can still trust our services,” he revealed.

The dispute also involves opposition by laboratory scientists to the appointment of medical doctors to head laboratory departments within the hospital.

Mr Nacojja argued that under Ghana’s healthcare regulations, medical laboratories are expected to be led by qualified medical laboratory scientists regulated by the Allied Health Professions Council rather than medical doctors.

He accused sections of hospital management and members of the medical college of attempting to take control of laboratory administration to support accreditation for specialist medical training programmes.

“The medical college is different from Korle Bu Teaching Hospital,” he stated.

“Doctors who want to train specialists should collaborate with laboratory scientists, not take over leadership of the laboratories.”

Mr Nacojja further claimed that the recent revocation of the appointment of a laboratory scientist who previously served as head of department contributed to growing frustration among laboratory staff.

He also alleged that laboratory scientists lack adequate representation within the hospital’s management system.

“Our voice is carried by people who have interests in the laboratory because they are lecturers in the medical college,” he claimed.

Despite the tensions, Mr Nacojja insisted that laboratory scientists remain committed to patient care and have not withdrawn essential services entirely.

According to him, emergency and specialised units including the blood bank, nephrology laboratory, and cardiothoracic laboratory continue to operate, although under pressure due to reduced staffing and ongoing verification procedures.

“We are not denying the public services,” he emphasized.

“The laboratories are open, and scientists are working. What we are withdrawing is our expertise in areas where system audits are ongoing.”

The situation has sparked concerns over the impact of professional disputes and administrative disagreements on healthcare delivery at one of Ghana’s most important medical institutions.

Many patients at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital continue to experience delays and uncertainty as management and laboratory scientists work toward resolving the impasse.