Private laboratory facilities are profiting as patients are forced to pay higher fees for lab services due to the ongoing strike by the Medical Laboratory Professional Workers Union (MELPWU).
This strike has significantly impacted major public health facilities in the Ashanti Region, causing a surge in demand for private labs.
Patients are expressing frustration over the steep costs associated with accessing laboratory services during the strike.
On the third day of the strike, the situation has worsened, with many patients alarmed by the additional financial burden.
The strike has led to widespread calls from patients urging the government and relevant stakeholders to address the Union's grievances.
Patients are seeking immediate action to alleviate the financial strain and other challenges resulting from the strike.
The Medical Laboratory Professional Workers Union initiated the strike to draw attention to their demands, which they feel have been ignored for too long.
A patient stated “The fees charged were too much so I had to go back to the doctor and told him that I couldn’t afford the labs directed, so he cancelled everything. What if I had a severe problem but now, I wouldn’t know because of the fee? So, I had to pay ¢900 just for the lab.”
Meanwhile, private lab facilities like Ellolab are seeing a surge in clients as they serve as alternatives to public medical laboratories at places like Manhyia and Tafo Government hospitals, which remain closed.
In an interview with the media, Ebenezer Wireko, the General Manager of Ellolab, noted that the strike presents an opportunity for his and other private lab facilities to generate revenue, emphasising that the charges at Ellolab are moderate.
“The strike on the public laboratory has a positive impact on us because we can see that the number of patients that we are receiving has increased due to the strike so as a private facility, the strike has really had a positive impact on us.”
Latest Stories
-
Baby abandoned in manhole in Tema Community 1
6 mins -
We’ll establish fiscal council to rein in excessive borrowing – Finance Minister
12 mins -
Mortuary workers issue fresh strike threat
16 mins -
‘Lapses in banking system are not unique’ – John Awuah on managing fraud in Ghana’s Banks
24 mins -
Bawumia confident of victory in 2024 election
58 mins -
Strengthening audit institutions essential for tackling fiscal mismanagement – Domelevo
1 hour -
Healthy Aging: The Role of the Gut Microbiome and How Diet Can Help
1 hour -
Seek medical care, diagnosis for breast cancer – Dr Abiti to women
1 hour -
Hardship: Men now collect marriage list from different families to get cheapest – Report
1 hour -
‘If you’re looking for trouble, you’ll get it,’ Falz tells VeryDarkMan
1 hour -
Paramount Chief of Avenor grateful to NPP, calls for completion of Agenda 111 project
2 hours -
Bawumia commissions ultramodern office complex for Ho Municipal Assembly
2 hours -
Bawumia declares NPP’s infrastructure record unmatched
2 hours -
Importers face duty on Electric Vehicles despite gov’t’s exemption promises
2 hours -
4 additional Democracy Hub protesters discharged
2 hours