The Korle-Bu Doctors Association (KODA) has petitioned Management of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital over what it describes as the unlawful exclusion of Laboratory Physicians from the hospital’s Central Laboratory.
KODA is demanding the immediate reinstatement of all affected physicians by Saturday May 2, along with an investigation into the reported threats or risk their withdrawal of service.
In a detailed statement released on Thursday April 30, the Association said the situation poses a serious threat to patient safety, professional standards, and the smooth delivery of healthcare services.
KODA explained that Laboratory Physicians including specialists such as pathologists, haematologists and microbiologists have historically played a central role in Ghana’s medical system, dating back to the 1950s.
The group stated that their contributions to training and clinical care are well established and internationally recognized.
The Association alleged that members of the Ghana Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists have effectively blocked these physicians from accessing the Central Laboratory. Even more concerning, KODA reports receiving credible accounts of threats of physical harm against some of its members.
KODA describes the situation as “entirely unacceptable” and accuses the laboratory scientists’ group of overstepping its authority by attempting to determine who is allowed to work in the facility.
The Association is also pushing back against claims that Laboratory Physicians are a recent addition to Ghana’s healthcare system, calling such assertions “factually incorrect.”
Citing international best practices, KODA maintained that clinical laboratories should be led by qualified Laboratory Physicians, particularly because of their role in interpreting complex test results within a clinical context.
Hospital Management is yet to respond publicly to the claims.
By Sarah Apenkroh
