Andhra Pradesh doctor strike: Talks stall again over stipend hike dispute

Another round of talks between the Andhra Pradesh government and the A.P. Junior Doctors' Association (APJUDA) on Monday (August 24, 2026) ended without a breakthrough, prolonging the strike by junior doctors to its 15th day.

In the latest meeting, health officials reportedly offered an additional 5% hike for MBBS interns, on top of the 5% increase proposed earlier for them. However, the government did not revise its earlier proposal for junior doctors and senior residents.

In the previous round of negotiations, the government had proposed a 5% annual stipend increase for interns and a 3% annual hike for senior residents and junior doctors. The striking doctors rejected that offer, arguing that the new model would replace the existing system of a 15% increase every two years with a smaller annual increment.

According to sources, the government asked the doctors to reconsider their original demand for a 30% stipend increase every two years, citing financial constraints on the state. In response, the doctors reduced their demand to a 20% biennial hike, but the government did not agree to this revised figure.

No official statement has been issued by APJUDA regarding the discussions. The state health department has also not confirmed the details of the proposal, and further information is awaited.

The strike, which began earlier this month, has disrupted healthcare services in several government hospitals across Andhra Pradesh. Junior doctors have been demanding a revision in stipends, citing rising costs of living and the need for parity with medical professionals in other states.

Both sides have expressed a willingness to continue talks, but no new date for a meeting has been announced. The impasse continues to affect patients, with hospital administrations struggling to maintain normal operations.