Patients who need laboratory services at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital say they are being made to pay more for these services at private facilities.

They are afraid that continued reliance on private laboratory facilities for these services could escalate the already high cost of treatment at the hospital.

The concerns of the patients come as a strike by Laboratory Scientists at KATH enters day two.

Hospital Management has announced contingency measures for patients in need of laboratory services.

But some affected patients tell Joynews the cost of obtaining laboratory services has almost doubled.

One of them complained he was forced to pay GH30 more for his daughter's lab which initially cost  GH50 at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.

"I came for lab the test of my daughter who would be going to see the doctor on Monday.

But I was told they [Laboratory Scientists] are on strike so I have to go to a private lab.

I wasn't even aware of the pricing so I decided to go there and because of the urgent need of my daughter to see the medical practitioner on Monday, I have to pay whatever amount that needs to be paid.

I paid GH80 but here at Komfo Anokye, it is GH50," a frustrated  father said.

Joynews checks following interactions with some more patients who  need Microbiology,  Haematology and Chemical Pathology  laboratory tests are equally paying more for the services outside the precincts of KATH.

A woman, who pleaded anonymity had just been handed with a prescription for O&P (Ova and Parasite) laboratory test for her son who has been on admission at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.

But with the Laboratory Scientists on strike, the only available option for her is to go outside KATH for the test which could have been done a block from the ward.

It is not clear how contingency measures put in place by management of hospital could address concerns of patients.

Management of KATH insists arrangements with peripheral and private laboratories remain unchanged.

Meanwhile,  the leadership of the striking Laboratory Scientists are locked up in a meeting to review the two days old strike action.