The Korle Bu Doctors Association (KODA) has suspended its industrial action just 18 hours after it began, following breakthrough discussions with management of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH).
The strike, which commenced on Monday, May 4, 2026, had raised concerns over a potential disruption to healthcare delivery at Ghana’s largest referral facility. However, swift intervention through an emergency meeting between KODA leaders and hospital authorities resulted in a temporary resolution.
According to the association, the decision to call off the strike was based on firm assurances from management to address tensions within the hospital’s Central Laboratory.
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A key commitment includes a guarantee that laboratory physicians can resume work at their designated stations without interference.
In a formal communication to the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer, KODA stressed that its actions were guided by the need to restore professionalism and cooperation within the facility.
KODA Chairman, Dr. Asare Offei, underscored the importance of unity, stating that a collaborative working relationship between laboratory physicians and medical laboratory scientists is essential to delivering quality healthcare.
With the strike now suspended, all doctors have been directed to return to duty. Outpatient services are expected to resume on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. The move brings relief to patients who were affected by the abrupt withdrawal of services.
Despite the progress, attention remains on the Central Laboratory, where longstanding disputes over professional roles and workspace allocation persist. Hospital management is expected to closely supervise interactions between the two groups to prevent further tensions.
