Andhra Pradesh Junior Doctors to Stop Non-Emergency Services from August 12

Non-emergency services in government medical colleges and teaching hospitals across Andhra Pradesh are set to be withdrawn from Wednesday, August 12, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., after talks with State health officials failed to produce an agreement. The decision was announced by the Andhra Pradesh Junior Doctors' Association (APJUDA) following a meeting on Tuesday evening.

The association had earlier put its strike on hold for a week to allow the government time to respond. However, with no positive outcome, junior and senior residents at several institutions resumed a partial protest on Tuesday, abstaining from duties from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The escalation to a full withdrawal of non-emergency services came after the second round of talks on Tuesday also ended without a resolution.

The core demand of the doctors is the periodic enhancement of stipends for postgraduate students and interns, which they say is overdue by more than seven months. They are invoking Government Order No. 287, issued on December 17, 2009, which mandates a biannual revision of about 15% linked to inflation. The doctors argue that the government has not adhered to its own order.

Speaking at the protest site at Andhra Medical College in Visakhapatnam, Dr. Mohammed Siraz Shah, a final-year postgraduate in General Medicine, and Dr. Kothuru Ravindar, a second-year postgraduate in the same department, said, "The government is not adhering to its own G.O. We are only asking for our rightful entitlement."

Junior doctors also highlighted growing workload and mental health concerns. T. Nishant, a second-year postgraduate at Kurnool Medical College, said his outpatient timings have been extended by three hours since last year, and additional duties such as digitising health records have increased pressure. "Earlier, we used to work from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., but now we stay until 4 p.m. On top of this, we have also been burdened with digitising health records," he said.

APJUDA treasurer Ranjeet Dhabale said the association had repeatedly urged the government to consider its demands. However, a senior health official stated that the department received the association's first official communication only in July. Since then, the department has been studying stipend revision models followed in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

The doctors are demanding a 30% biannual hike, up from the 15% specified in the 2009 order, citing rising inflation and increased workload. The government has countered with a proposal of an annual increase of 3% for postgraduate students and 5% for interns. The health official acknowledged the doctors' demands were justified but described the 30% request as "abnormal," adding that the government is exploring all options.

Following the Tuesday meeting, APJUDA announced that the strike would continue from Wednesday. The withdrawal of non-emergency services is expected to affect outpatient departments and routine procedures, while emergency care will remain operational. The situation remains fluid, with both sides indicating a willingness to continue dialogue.