Korle Bu Scientists Reject Doctors' Claims on Lab Operations

Laboratory scientists at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital have strongly disputed claims made by doctors. The Ghana Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists (Korle Bu Chapter) publicly demanded a retraction. They called the doctors' statements “false and damaging” on May 4, 2026.

The doctors, represented by the Korle Bu Doctors Association (KODA), alleged that excluding Laboratory Physicians from the Central Laboratory harms healthcare. They also stated it impedes specialist training. KODA’s assertions follow their ongoing industrial action. This action seeks the inclusion of Laboratory Physicians in laboratory operations.

Dr Abdul Hakam Abubakar, General Secretary for the scientists’ association, rejected KODA’s allegations. He warned against efforts to discredit laboratory professionals. “We have always called for collaboration within the laboratory,” he stated. Dr Abubakar challenged KODA to provide evidence for their claims that lab results do not match clinical findings. “We are calling them to show us documents or provide evidence,” he urged.

This dispute touches upon the critical roles of different medical professionals. Effective healthcare delivery relies on teamwork across various groups. Dr Abubakar stressed this collaborative environment is essential for patient services. The scientists, however, firmly oppose any proposal for medical doctors to lead laboratory services. They view such suggestions as unacceptable. “Any headship that is not under the leadership of a medical laboratory scientist will be fiercely resisted,” Dr Abubakar warned.

The Korle Bu Teaching Hospital is Ghana’s largest public tertiary referral facility. Such internal professional disagreements can impact patient care and hospital efficiency. The resolution of this conflict could set precedents for interdisciplinary collaboration within Ghana’s public health sector. Future developments will likely focus on the evidence presented by both sides. It will also show how hospital management addresses these professional tensions.