Medical laboratory professionals threaten ‘aluta’ over removal of KBTH laboratory head

The Medical Laboratory Professional Workers’ Union (MELPWU) has served notice of a nationwide strike action over what it describes as the unfair removal of the Head of Laboratory Services at the -Bu Teaching Hospital.

The Union said the industrial action, scheduled to take effect from Tuesday, May 12, followed a unilateral and unlawful decision by the hospital’s management to remove a duly appointed Medical Laboratory Scientist from the position.

A statement signed by Dr Cephas Kofi Akortor, the Secretary of MELPWU, and copied to the Ghana News Agency, said the appointment of the Head of Laboratory Services was made in line with resolutions reached at a stakeholder meeting convened by the  Ministry of Health on February 3, 2026.

The Union noted that the resolutions, subsequently communicated to the National Labour Commission (NLC), formed the basis upon which it, together with the Ghana Federation of Allied Health Professions, suspended an earlier planned strike action in good faith.

However, the MELPWU accused the Chief Executive Officer, Director of Medical Affairs, and Director of Human Resource Management of the KBTH of acting in bad faith by overturning the agreed arrangement.

According to the Union, management removed and reassigned the appointed Head of Department to satisfy what it described as “unlawful demands of physicians,” and imposed a physician to head the department in a manner inconsistent with established governance structures.

It further alleged that the action undermined the professional structure of medical laboratory services and violated binding administrative agreements reported to the NLC. The MELPWU said the development represented a breakdown in dispute resolution processes involving the Ministry of Health and the National Labour Commission, warning that it posed a threat to industrial harmony and effective healthcare delivery.

“The Union is, therefore, demanding the immediate reinstatement of the removed Head of Laboratory Services, the establishment of a clear leadership structure for laboratory services, and strict adherence to the February 2026 resolutions,” the statement said.

It also called for the resignation or removal of the KBTH Board Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer, and the Director of Medical Affairs, alleging conflict of interest and bias.

The MELPWU, however, stated that it remained open to urgent engagement with the Ministry of Health and relevant stakeholders within the statutory notice period to avert disruptions to essential health services.

By Samira Larbie

GNA

 

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