Junior doctors across Andhra Pradesh have launched a strike, demanding the immediate release of stipend arrears, implementation of the mandatory stipend hike, and strict adherence to the National Medical Commission regulations on regularisation of monthly payments.

The junior doctors began their agitation by boycotting outpatient services at government hospitals across the state. The AP Junior Doctors Association warned that the agitation would be intensified if the government failed to respond immediately and implement the assurances given to them. The association said it had been forced to observe a strike as a last resort after receiving no positive response despite several rounds of discussions with the government. The junior doctors announced that unless their demands were satisfactorily resolved, they would completely suspend medical services from Wednesday to Saturday. They assured, however, that emergency, intensive care units and surgical services would continue without interruption.

Stipend Hike Order Not Implemented

Speaking at a media conference held at Andhra Medical College, Janakara Sai Srinivas, president of the AP Junior Doctors Association's Andhra Medical College unit, said the mandatory biennial increase in stipends had not been implemented. He said a Government Order provides for a minimum 15% increase in stipends every two years, but the provision had not been implemented. He termed the government's proposal to increase the stipend by only 3% unjust and expressed regret that the government was failing to implement its own order. The junior doctors said talks with the government had failed to resolve the issue and alleged that their stipend revisions had been delayed for eight months. They staged a sit-in protest on the Visakhapatnam campus and vowed to continue their strike until their demands were met.

SFI Extends Support

The Students' Federation of India (SFI) state committee has expressed its full support for the strike by junior doctors in pursuit of their legitimate demands.

In a statement, SFI state president Rammohan and state secretary Prasanna Kumar urged the government to take immediate steps to address the junior doctors' demands and facilitate the withdrawal of the strike. They said the government has a responsibility to provide fair remuneration commensurate with the hard work of young doctors, including interns, junior doctors, super speciality residents and postgraduates, who serve in government medical colleges and teaching hospitals, providing essential medical care and saving lives.

The SFI leaders regretted that despite discussions with the government on their grievances, the junior doctors had not received any clear assurances. They warned that neglecting the concerns of medical students and young doctors could adversely affect the public healthcare system. Noting that the junior doctors were continuing their protest without disrupting emergency medical services, the SFI urged the government to view their struggle positively and immediately concede their legitimate demands. It also demanded that the government refrain from taking any coercive measures against the protesting doctors and instead hold immediate talks with their representatives to resolve the issues amicably.