Andhra junior doctors to continue strike as talks with govt. make no headway
Junior doctors in Andhra Pradesh have decided to continue their strike after a meeting with the state Health Minister failed to produce an agreement regarding stipend hikes. While the government cited financial constraints for rejecting the 15% biennial stipend increase, the doctors argue the proposed 3% annual hike is insufficient to combat inflation.
Why it matters
The ongoing strike, now in its tenth day, has led to the withdrawal of emergency services, significantly impacting healthcare delivery and patient access in government hospitals across the state.
For the first time since their strike began, a delegation of junior doctors met Andhra Pradesh Minister for Health, Medical and Family Welfare Satya Kumar Yadav at the Secretariat on Thursday, August 20, and discussed their concerns. However, A.P. Junior Doctors’ Association said there was no headway in the matter, adding that the strike would continue.
According to a press release from the Health Department, the Minister told the doctors that the government was not in a position to continue the implementation of the 15% biennial stipend hike.
But, the Minister said the doctors need not be concerned about their other two demands, including adherence to National Medical Commission (NMC) regulations regarding the recruitment of MSc-and PhD-qualified candidates, and opposition to the proposed increase in the retirement age to 65 years.
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